July 4th 2024.
Jessica Baker was just like any other 15-year-old girl, excited to start another day at West Kirby Grammar School in Wirral, Merseyside. Little did she know, tragedy awaited her on the morning of September 29th last year. Jessica was on her usual commute to school, on a coach with around 50 other students. But this journey would end in a devastating crash on the M53.
It was a normal morning until the driver, 40-year-old Stephen Shrimpton, suddenly collapsed at the wheel due to a heart condition. The passengers on the bus were not wearing seatbelts, except for Jessica who was one of the few to follow this safety precaution. Sadly, this was not enough to save her life. The inquest, held at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool, revealed that Jessica suffered a head injury and passed away in the crash.
It was heartbreaking to hear that Jessica was one of the few passengers who had taken the time to buckle up. The Senior Coroner, Andre Rebello, stated that CCTV footage showed most of the students were not wearing seatbelts, but Jessica was seen sitting in her seat and not moving in the same way as the others. In fact, her post-mortem examination revealed bruising consistent with wearing a seatbelt. It was concluded that Jessica was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
Jessica was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, and friend. Her family described her as a warm-hearted and wonderful girl. After her tragic death, an inquest was opened and a report was issued, raising concerns about the use of seatbelts on school buses. The Coroner emphasized the importance of distinguishing between school buses in built-up areas and commuter coaches on the motorway, when it comes to seatbelt use.
The crash affected not only Jessica's family and loved ones, but also the other students on the bus. Four other children were taken to the hospital, with one suffering from life-changing injuries. It was a traumatic experience for everyone involved. The bus company, Carvers Coaches, and a child who was seriously injured, along with Jessica's family, attended the inquest with their lawyers.
The evidence presented at the inquest showed that Mr. Shrimpton had a heart condition that could have caused him to lose consciousness while driving. The post-mortem examination revealed that he had extensive ischemic heart disease, which could have led to an abrupt collapse and sudden death. The cause of his death was deemed to be natural causes.
The inquest also heard that Jessica's injuries were a result of a head injury sustained in the crash. The coroner recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision. Jessica's parents, nurses Sean Baker and Sarah Merrington, were present at the inquest and were told that their daughter was loved by many.
It was a heartbreaking day in court, with the memories of Jessica's warm and kind nature still fresh in everyone's minds. Her family paid tribute to her as a talented climber and a devoted sister and friend. They will always remember her as their wonderful daughter, granddaughter, and niece. Jessica may have left this world too soon, but her memory and the lessons learned from this tragedy will remain with us forever.
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