The driver killed when his school bus full of children overturned on the M53 suffered “medical issues” behind the wheel, his family has said.
Stephen Shrimpton was named as the school bus driver who died alongside a 15-year-old student following the horror crash on Friday as he ferried more than 50 schoolchildren on the major traffic artery.
His sister-in-law has said the dad left behind two young children and a widow in her 30s.
Emily Church has started a GoFundMe fundraiser for Mr Shrimpton’s funeral, with hundreds of people having already donated.
Posting on the page, Ms Church revealed more details about the incident, stating he was unwell before the crash.
She organised the fundraiser late on Friday, September 30, less than 12 hours after the crash, and said her brother-in-law had “medical issues”.
She wrote: “I’m raising some funds for my brother-in-law’s funeral.
“He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning of the 29th of September, after suffering medical issues at the wheel while driving students to school.
“He’s sadly left behind my sister who’s now a widow in her early thirties, and unfortunately a single mum alongside his much loved two young children, only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.”
Hundreds of people have since donated to the page, which has already raised thousands of pounds.
From 466 donations, Ms Church has received £6,235, exceeding her listed £6,000 target.
Mr Shrimpton was one of two people who died following the accident on Friday.
Schoolchild Jessica Baker, 15, has been named as the other person who died that morning, while dozens of children travelled to school.
Merseyside Police said 58 people were involved in the crash, many of whom were assessed at the scene.
Emergency services took four children to hospital, with a 14-year-old boy reportedly having suffered “life-changing injuries”.
Several other pupils received treatment for minor injuries at an emergency services training centre in Wallasey, approximately 13 in total.
