THE heartbroken family of the bus driver killed in yesterday's horror crash have paid tribute to their "loving dad".
Stephen Shrimpton, 40, died alongside schoolgirl Jessica Baker, 15, after the tragic M35 smash yesterday morning.
A boy, 14, was also left with life-changing injuries in the devastating crash.
Stephen's wife and two young children, aged four and eight, have now paid tribute to him.
The devastated family said in a statement released by police: "Stephen was a loving husband and father to his wife and his wonderful children, a caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself.
"Stephen will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. The family have requested privacy at this devastating time.”
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The 40-year-old's sister-in-law is also raising money for his funeral and said he'd died after he "suffered medical issues at the wheel".
The woman wrote on GoFundMe: "I'm raising some funds for my brother-in-law’s funeral.
"He tragically died in an accident on the M53 on the morning on 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 along side his much loved two young children who are only 8 and 4, who are going to grow up without their beloved father.
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"Any donations to this unexpected circumstance would be much appreciated to give Stephen a funeral he deserves."
More than £10,000 had been raised this morning, with many paying tribute to Stephen.
Young Jessica was also named by cops as the schoolgirl who was killed yesterday.
Merseyside Police said: "Jessica Baker sadly died as a result of the collision on the M53 northbound carriageway.
"Jessica's family have requested that their privacy is respected at this time and any updates from them will be issued via Merseyside Police news office as appropriate."
Police said post-mortems will be carried out next week to establish Stephen and Jessica's causes of death.
The force is still urging witnesses to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We continue to investigate the circumstances of this incident and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident or have any information to please let us know.
“We also urge those who were driving near the incident to check your dashcam footage. Any information no matter how small could help the investigation."
Stephen was a loving husband and father to his wife and his wonderful children, a caring and thoughtful man who would always prioritise others over himself.
The horror crash unfolded around 8am near Birkenhead, Merseyside, with devastating photos showing the bus on its side.
The smash is said to have happened after the coach carrying 54 pupils from Calday Grammar School and West Kirby all-girls grammar school collided with a car.
Shocked onlookers said they saw young school kids fleeing through the smashed rear window of the bus while their traumatised pals travelling in a second bus were left watching on.
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.
"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."
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."
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell paid tribute to the victims in a statement.
She said: "I want to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two people who have tragically lost their lives and all those affected by the incident on the M53 this morning', she said.
"I cannot begin to understand the distress of those who were travelling on the coach and the worry of the families of those involved.
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"This was an awfully tragic incident that occurred on a busy stretch of motorway during rush-hour, and I'd like to offer my sincere gratitude to all our emergency service personnel for their swift response in both responding to the needs of the victims and securing a very challenging scene."
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747 or [email protected] or contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook quoting reference 23000944471.
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