M53 crash today LIVE: Girl, 14, and driver are killed in horror motorway collision with 13 more chil

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Thank you for joining our liveblog today for updates on the M53 crash.

Tragically, a 14-year-old girl and a bus driver died following the accident involving a school coach on the northbound M53 near to junction five at Hooton, Cheshire.

15:00

Police confirm no car was involved in crash

Merseyside Police have now issued an update, saying no other vehicle is understood to have been involved in the crash.

It was earlier thought that the crash had also involved a car, as well as the coach.

14:25

WATCH - Press conference video

You can watch a video here of the press conference about the M53 school bus crash, in which it was confirmed that two people have died:

14:21

Council says it is 'working closely' with schools

Wirral council is 'working closely' with schools affected by a fatal crash between a schoolbus and a car on the M53.

Simone White, director for children, families, and education at Wirral Council told a press conference: 'Council staff are working closely with the schools, and have been doing so since they were informed of the incident this morning.

'I'm sure everybody will understand that for the moment, our focus, and the focus of the schools, is in supporting the pupils, families, and wider school community who will have all been affected by this incident.

'As a council we will continue to work with other local areas and all those who are affected as we wish to provide support and assistance as needed to the families who have been involved in this.'

14:21

How has the crash affected traffic on the M53?

Diversions are in place as the M53 remains closed in both directions between junctions four and five.

National Highways North West said: 'North West Motorway Police Group will be carrying out complex investigation work. Once complete, recovery of the coach and collision clear-up work can begin.

'The closure is expected to remain in place throughout the afternoon.'

14:13

Paramedics reveal why major incident was declared

Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said a major incident was declared following reports of a crash involving a coach on Friday morning.

She told a press conference: 'This was due to the potential number of casualties involved.

'As a result, we sent a substantial number of ambulances, senior clinicians and our hazardous area response teams. A critical care doctor was also dispatched to the scene.

'Tragically, we can confirm that there were two fatalities as a result of this crash.

'A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital with serious injuries.

'In addition, we have taken a number of patients to surrounding hospitals to be treated for minor injuries.'

14:12

Keir Starmer says it's 'unimaginably sad news'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: 'My heart goes out to everyone affected by the tragic accident on the Wirral this morning. Unimaginably sad news.'

14:12

Police send thoughts to family and friends of victims

Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson also told the press conference: '50 other children were taken to an emergency training centre where they were medically assessed and eight of those children have been taken to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals.

'Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their family and friends at this tragic time.

'Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools, Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus.

'We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved and they witnessed the incident and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support.

'The motorway is expected to be closed for a number of hours whilst investigative work is carried out and we would like to thank motorists for their patience while the investigation is ongoing.'

14:00

Were firefighters involved in the rescue?

Firefighters helped passengers exit a schoolbus after it overturned following a crash with a car on the M53.

Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, told a press conference: 'Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the scene was safe, and we assisted casualties exiting the bus.

'Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues, shortly after we were able to assist the casualties onto a second coach to receive care away from the scene.

'Our operations are currently scaling down, and currently we stay at the scene, in attendance, to preserve the scene with Merseyside Police whilst an investigation is conducted.

'The thoughts of everyone at Merseyside Police Fire and Rescue Service are with the friends, the colleagues, and the families of all of those involved in this terrible incident.'

14:00

When were emergency services called?

Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson has told a press conference that emergency services were called to reports of an overturned bus on the M53 just after eight o'clock on Friday morning.

He said: 'We can confirm that the bus was a school bus, taking pupils to West Kirby and Calday grammar schools on the Wirral.

'We understand there were 54 people including the driver on the bus. Sadly, I can confirm that the driver and a 14-year-old schoolgirl have died.

'Two children were taken from the scene to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.'

13:59

How many people were on the school bus?

Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson, of Merseyside Police, said 54 people, including the driver, were on the school bus involved in a crash on the M53 motorway.

He added that eight children had been transferred from a casualty clearing centre in Wallasey to the Countess of Chester and Arrowe Park hospitals.

13:51

What we know so far after M53 bus crash

A 14-year-old schoolgirl and a bus driver have died following the motorway crash involving a coach and a car.

Emergency services were called today shortly after 8am to reports of an overturned coach on the northbound M53 near to junction five at Hooton, Cheshire.

A further two patients were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital with serious injuries, while a number of other patients were taken to surrounding hospitals for treatment to minor injuries, North West Ambulance Service said.

A total of 50 children were transported to a casualty clearing centre at the emergency services training centre in Wallasey. Of those, 39 have now been discharged while the remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment.

It is thought the bus was going to West Kirby all-girls grammar school and Calday Grange all-boys grammar school, also in West Kirby, Merseyside.

Both Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School confirmed one of its school buses was involved.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) later declared major incidents, although Alder Hey later de-escalated.