A 14-year-old girl and a school bus driver have died after the vehicle overturned on a motorway in Merseyside, police have said.
It comes after major incidents were declared following “a number of casualties”, emergency services said earlier.
Calday Grange all-boys grammar school and West Kirby all-girls grammar school confirmed one of its school buses was involved in the incident, which took place shortly after 8am on Friday.
A total of 54 people were on the bus – many were assessed at the scene on the M53 near Hooton.
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 of minor injuries, a spokesperson for 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 been discharged while the remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment.
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Police confirm crash fatalities
Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson of Merseyside Police said: “Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with both schools and Wirral and Cheshire West Councils 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 in the incident and they witnessed the incident. They too will be provided with specialist trauma support.”
Firefighters helped passengers exit the schoolbus following the crash said Mark Thomas, area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
“Firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at the scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the scene was safe, and we assisted casualties exiting the bus,” he added.
“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.”
Joanne Clague, area director for North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside, said a major incident was declared “due to the potential number of casualties involved”.
She said: “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.”
Simone White, director for children, families, and education at Wirral Council, said the council was “working closely” with the schools affected.
“On behalf of Wirral Council I offer my sincerest condolences to everyone affected by this tragic incident today,” he said.
“We will continue to do whatever we can to help.”
Image: Pic: Sherin Akhtar
Children’s hospital A&E ‘extremely busy’
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital declared a major incident but this has now been “de-escalated”.
It said its accident and emergency department “remains extremely busy”, adding: “Please only attend in cases of emergency.”
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.”
The M53 remains closed in both directions between junctions four and five. It is expected to be closed for a number of hours while investigative work is carried out, according to police.
In separate statements on X, Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School said: “We are aware of a situation involving one of our school buses on the motorway earlier today.
“We’re actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.”
Donald Trump has kicked off his second state visit to the UK with a royal greeting, carriage procession and gun salute.
As the US presidentand the First Lady Melania Trump touched down in a rainy Windsor, they were greeted by Prince William and Kate, before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The national anthems of the UK and US were then played as a carriage procession carried the Trumps and the King and Queen towards Windsor Castle.
Here, Mr Trump inspected the Guard of Honour before heading inside the castle. Tonight, a grand state banquet will be held in honour of the US president, where both the King and Mr Trump are expected to give speeches.
Image: Trump spoke with reporters from the White House on Tuesday before setting off. Pic: AP
Image: The Marine One helicopter landed in Windsor from London. Pic: PA
Image: Donald and Melania Trump were welcomed to Windsor by William and Kate. Pic: PA
Image: King Charles received the US president alongside the Queen.
Pic: PA
Image: The pair appeared to share a laugh ahead of the carriage procession. Pic: PA
Image: The carriage procession arriving at Windsor Castle.
Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA
Image: The Irish State Coach carrying King Charles and Donald Trump.
Pic: Chris Jackson/PA
Image: The Prince and Princess of Wales during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle
Image: The horse-drawn procession makes its way towards Windsor Castle.
Pic: Reuters
Image: Mr Trump pictured among the guard of honour.
Pic: Jonathan Brady/PA
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Image: Donald Trump salutes troops as Queen Camilla’s eye catches the camera. Pic: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire
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Image: A supporter of Trump stood outside Windsor Castle ahead of the parade
Image: Meanwhile, Stop Trump Coalition campaigners protested. Pic: PA
Image: A campaigner drags a mannequin dressed like Trump along the ground. Pic: PA
Image: Trump, along with the King and Queen, then viewed items on display during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition at Windsor Castle.
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Image: The Trumps visit St. George’s Chapel during their state visit.
Pic: Reuters
Ricky Hatton was “in a good place” before his death, his family has said – as the son of the boxing legend paid tribute to his father.
“Heartbroken isn’t the word,” Campbell Hatton said in the post, alongside a series of family photos.
“Everybody has always said I was your double – never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life.”
Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
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Like his father, Campbell pursued a career in boxing, making his professional debut in 2021. He retired earlier this year.
He added in his post: “Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times, which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have any more. Love you, Dad.”
Hatton had announced he was coming out of retirement for an exhibition bout on 2 December, in Dubai.
That would have marked 13 years since his last professional contest.
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‘More than a champion’ – Hatton family’s tribute
He was “excited for the future” before his death, his family said in a new statement on Wednesday.
“We are all distraught at the events of recent days,” they said.
“To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was in a good place.
“He was excited for the future; his bag was packed ready to go to Dubai to promote a comeback fight and he was planning a celebration in Dubai of which his beloved girls Millie and Fearne were to be the centre of. He was excited that they would see him fight for the first time in person.”
He had dinner with his girls on Friday night and “was not alone in life or in the days before the weekend”.
“We are all in shock at the events that unfolded at the weekend,” they said. “Richard was found by his friend and long-time manager Paul Speak, who we are supporting at this time, along with Richard’s parents, Ray and Carol, his children and the wider family.
“The outpouring of grief and love from the nation and worldwide shows how much Richard was loved. It will, in time, be something that gives us all some comfort and pride.”
Details of a memorial service would be released in due course, they added.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the city will give consideration to how best to honour Hatton’s memory properly in the weeks and months ahead.
Image: One of the many tributes laid in memory of Hatton. Pic: PA
‘The people’s champ’
It comes after soap star Claire Sweeney said she “adored and cherished” her ex-boyfriend. They were long-time friends and dated for several months after competing on Dancing On Ice in 2024.
Soap star Sweeney wrote on Instagram: “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky.
“My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter.
“Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.”
She also posted a montage of photos of them together.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
A woman was shot and killed by her husband outside a pub on Valentine’s Day after trying to leave the relationship, an inquest heard.
Lisa Smith, 43, was shot twice in the neck in the car park of The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt, Kent, on 14 February this year.
She had earlier told her sister she was leaving her husband, Edward Smith, and had got on a train from their home in Slough to stay with family in Kent.
Mr Smith tracked her down at the pub that evening before blocking her friend’s car with his and firing four shots with a handgun, Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court heard.
Image: A police cordon outside the Three Horseshoes pub. Pic: PA
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On Wednesday, area coroner Katrina Hepburn concluded Ms Smith died from unlawful killing and found “requisite intent from Edward Smith to kill her or cause her really serious harm”.
After killing his wife, Mr Smith, also known as Edvard Stockings, sent voice notes to someone he called “Nana”, saying: “I’ve shot Lisa, she’s dead.”
He then jumped to his death from the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Dartford later that evening.
In one of the voice notes he alluded to suicide and stated: “Hopefully I’m going to get into heaven with my wife.”
Image: Forensics at the scene after the shooting
Detective Sergeant James Dolby told the court that Ms Smith was picked up at Orpington station by her friends and sister shortly before they went to the pub.
Just before 7pm, Ms Smith was in the passenger seat of her friend’s car in the pub car park when her husband arrived, having called her and her friends multiple times while looking for her.
There was a “verbal altercation” between him and Ms Smith’s sister, Laura, who called him a “narcissist” inside the pub before he got back in his car and left.
DS Dolby said Mr Smith then went on to block the Seat car from exiting.
The first two shots from his handgun were fired from inside his own vehicle.
Image: Tributes left at the scene following the shooting
The coroner said: “He pulled forward in the car and fired a second shot, he was seen to exit the vehicle with arms outstretched holding a handgun and firing a shot through the driver’s side car window.”
It was this third shot that caused “fatal damage” to Ms Smith’s neck, before he came around to the passenger side and fired at her again from close range.
“Four shots were fired, the first two from within his vehicle towards the Seat. There were no injuries consistent with the trajectory of those first two bullets,” said Ms Hepburn.
Despite CPR from members of the public and emergency services, Ms Smith died from her injuries at 7.42pm.
Setting out her conclusion, the coroner said: “I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a short form conclusion of unlawful killing would be safe and appropriate to set out in this manner.
“There was intent to find Lisa Smith after she had left her home address and once she was found the car she was seated in was blocked, preventing any exit.”
An inquest into the death of Mr Smith will take place this afternoon.