A 14-YEAR-OLD girl and a bus driver were today killed in a horror school coach crash.

The bus carrying pupils from Calday Grammar School and West Kirby all-girls grammar school overturned on the M53 this morning.

A boy, also 14, was left with life-changing injuries in the horror smash just after 8am near Birkenhead, Merseyside, during busy rush hour.

Witnesses report having seen school kids escaping from the smashed rear window of the bus while their traumatised pals travelling in a second bus were left watching on in horror.

Shocking photos show broken glass, debris and school bags strewn around the bus wreckage.

Police this afternoon revealed that two people were killed.

Merseyside Police said: "We understand there were 54 people [on the bus] including the driver, sadly I can confirm the driver and a 14-year-old schoolgirl have died."

Cops said four people were taken to hospital - two to Alder Hey Children's Hospital and two to Arrowe Park Hospital - including the 14-year-old boy who was injured.

The remaining 52 attended the emergency services training centre, where 39 were discharged with no further treatment and 13 were treated for minor injuries and then released.

In a press conference Chief Superintendent Graeme Robson added: "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 and they will too be provided with specialist trauma support.

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

It comes as North West Ambulance Service this morning declared a major incident.

It said in a statement: "North West Ambulance Service has declared a major incident following a road traffic collision between a coach and a car on the M53 northbound at approximately 8.30 this morning.

"The trust dispatched a large number of resources to the scene, including ambulances, advances paramedics, our Hazardous Area Response team and a HEMS doctor."

The crash is causing traffic chaos - with the motorway closed in both directions.

Did you see what happened? Email sarah.grealish@the-sun.co.uk, call 020 7782 4100 or Whatsapp 07423 720 250 

Calday Grammar School said: "We're actively gathering details and assisting affected students and their families.

"If you need to talk or seek guidance, please reach out to our teaching and pastoral teams."

Alder Hey children's hospital also declared a major incident and said it was treating "a number of" injured people.

The hospital has said it was “extremely busy” following the M53 crash.

A spokesperson said it would only “ask parents to only bring their children to the Department if it is urgent.”

Meanwhile, a Wirral Hospital spokesperson said: "We have clear plans in place to deal with these types of emergency situations and our services are ready to receive any casualties. The Trust has declared a Major Incident and the Major Incident Team has been stood up to manage the situation."

Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by this event and we are ready to provide treatment and support to any casualties and relatives arriving at Arrowe Park Hospital.

“Our staff are professionally trained and prepared for such events, and we have established a Major Incident Team to coordinate and manage the emergency response."

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Northbound diverted traffic is advised to follow this route:

• Exit the M53 northbound at J5
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A41 southbound (New Chester Road)
• At the B5133 junction, turn right onto the B5133 westbound (Hooton Road)
• At the junction with the B5151, turn right and join the B5151 northbound (Birkenhead Road)
• Continue to then re-join the M53 at J4

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