Jessica Baker: Family of 15-year-old girl killed in M53 school bus crash thank public for their support
The family of a 15-year-old girl who was killed in a bus crash on a motorway have thanked the public for their “very kind comments and offers of support”.
Jessica Baker died when the bus she was travelling in overturned on the M53 at Hooton on the Wirral last month as it headed to West Kirby Grammar School, where she was a Year 11 pupil.
The driver, 40-year-old Stephen Shrimpton, also died, with his family saying he was “suffering medical issues” while at the wheel on 29 September.
In a new statement, the child’s family described her as a “talented and dedicated climber” who competed for both Wales and the North West England.
Her relatives added: “Jessica loved all sports and chose GCSE PE as one of her options, but her overriding passion was for both indoor and outdoor climbing.
“Despite being a teenager, Jessica was able to communicate with everyone she came into contact with regardless of their age. She was often seen offering support to fellow climbers on how to achieve a problem/route they were trying to complete.
“Jessica was planning to explore a career in sport in some way and was due to begin her coaching qualifications later this year towards this goal.”
The family have set up an online book of condolences, as well as a link to donate to the charity Climbers Against Cancer.
‘Loyal friend’
Earlier in the month, her family said Jessica, from Chester, was a “wonderful daughter, granddaughter and niece, devoted sister and loyal friend”.
“Her untimely death has led to a massive void in our lives that will never be filled.”
Read more: Teenager who survived bus crash describes what he saw
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Our thoughts remain not only with Jessica’s family but the bus driver Stephen Shrimpton’s family who also passed away and are being supported by specially trained Police Officers.
“My team and I have held a meeting with the families of the other 57 children involved, and they are being supported and updated on the progress of the investigation.
“On behalf of those families, I would like to thank those people who stopped and helped in the immediate aftermath of this tragic incident.”
The investigation into the crash is ongoing and police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward and for any dash-cam footage.
Four children were taken to hospital after the crash and a 14-year-old boy is said to have suffered life-changing injuries.
Paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has died after being attacked in prison.
Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year jail term for multiple sexual offences, including serious crimes against young children and babies at HMP Wakefield, in West Yorkshire.
He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed.
West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A police van outside Wakefield prison. Pic: YappApp
Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene after prison staff reported the assault to police.
The prison went into lockdown in the immediate aftermath of the incident, sources added.
A Prison Service spokesperson said they could not comment while the police investigate.
Watkins was previously stabbed in an incident at the same prison in 2023, suffering non life-threatening injuries after he was reportedly taken hostage by three other inmates before being freed by prison officers six hours later.
He was sentenced in December 2013 to 29 years in prison, with a further six years on licence, after admitting 13 sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
Watkins performing in 2004. Pic: PA
Read more from Sky News:
Nova festival survivor dies two years after girlfriend killed
Police try to keep protesters apart at Gaza war demo
He also encouraged a second fan to abuse her child during a webcam chat and secretly stashed child sexual abuse videos, some of which he had made himself.
At the time, police described him as a “committed, organised paedophile”.
Having found fame in Welsh rock band Lostprophets, Watkins was arrested after his Pontypridd home was searched on orders of a drug warrant in September 2012.
A large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized during the search.
When sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, the singer was told he was being given an extended sentence – and a judge said his crimes “plumbed new depths of depravity”.
After being caught with a mobile phone behind bars in 2019, he told a court that he was locked up with “murderers, mass murderers, rapists, paedophiles, serial killers – the worst of the worst”.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024