A schoolgirl with a passion for climbing who died in a motorway coach crash has been remembered at her funeral.
West Kirby Grammar School pupil Jessica Baker, 15, and driver Stephen Shrimpton, 40, were killed when a college coach overturned on the M53 near junction five at Hooton, Cheshire, on September 29.
On Friday mourners, wearing black and a few carrying flowers, filled St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Blacon, Chester, for Jessica’s funeral, with a video link to the varsity round the corner for many who couldn’t slot in.
The front of the order of service showed a graphic of a climber, with a backdrop of mountains and trees, in memory of Jessica who represented the North West and Wales in climbing competitions across the UK.
It also featured photos of Jessica, including one in all her as a baby and one in all her holding a football.
The family asked for donations to charity Climbers Against Cancer in memory of the teenager.
Jessica’s family arrived on the church walking behind the hearse which carried the coffin and floral tributes, including one which spelt her name.
Her parents Sean and Sarah and sister Rebecca spoke on the service and tributes were paid by her highschool and climbing club.
Her headteacher Simeon Clarke was among the many mourners.
Hymns including Abide With Me and Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer were sung and the poem She Is Gone was read.
Following the service, members of her family tearfully embraced one another outside the church before the cortege travelled to Blacon Crematorium.
After her death, her family said Jessica loved all sports but “her overriding passion” was for each indoor and outdoor climbing.
They said: “Despite being an adolescent, Jessica was capable of communicate with everyone she got here into contact with no matter their age. She was often seen offering support to fellow climbers on learn how to achieve an issue/route they were trying to finish.
“Jessica was planning to explore a profession in sport not directly and was resulting from begin her coaching qualifications later this yr towards this goal.”
A complete of 58 children were involved within the crash, which happened at about 8am as students were taken to West Kirby and Calday Grange grammar schools in Wirral, Merseyside.
Four other children needed hospital treatment, including a 14-year-old boy whose injuries were said to be “life-changing”.
An inquest which opened earlier this month heard driver Mr Shrimpton suffered an “event” on the wheel and was seen to “slump to the left” because the vehicle left the carriageway.
