Girl killed in motorway bus crash was national level sportswoman
The 15-year-old girl killed when a driver suffered an 'incident' and crashed a school[1] bus on the motorway has been described as 'exceptional' as her family revealed she represented her region and nation in sport. Jessica Baker, 15, was on a school bus on September 29 when it overturned on the M53.
She died at the scene along with 40-year-old coach driver Stephen Shrimpton, who suffered "an event" moments before the fatal crash, and "slumped" as the vehicle veered off the carriageway.
Jessica, who was described as "an exceptional young woman" and "an inspiration", was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at 9.01am. Jessica's family has issued a new photo of the teenager and thanked everyone for their support, reports The Echo[2].
In a statement via Merseyside Police, they said: "Jessica was a talented and dedicated climber who competed over the last seven years of her life across the UK representing both the North West and Wales. 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."
Jessica Baker (Image: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)
In memory of Jessica an online page has been set up to allow people to share their pictures, videos and thoughts of Jessica. You can also donate in Jessica’s memory to “Climbers Against Cancer”, a charity that was close to her heart, here[3].
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of 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.
“A police investigation into this incident is ongoing which will be submitted to the coroner ahead of an inquest early next year. If you have any new information please continue to let our officers know.”
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747 or [email protected] or contact @MerPolCC on Twitter[4] or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook[5] quoting reference 23000944471.