School issues update after car ploughs through building

A school community was left “shocked” but “relieved” after children and staff escaped injury when a car ploughed through a wall.

Beacon CE School in Everton had to be evacuated after a car crashed into the building as pupils arrived this morning. Police, paramedics and the fire service were called to the school on Heyworth Street, Everton, at around 8.30am this morning to reports of a major crash.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the school - which has more than 320 children on its books - said it hopes to reopen the majority of the building tomorrow.

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Merseyside Police said the female driver of the car is being assessed at the scene. A passenger travelling in the car suffered what was described as a minor injury.

No other injuries were reported and no children were present in the area of the crash, according to the force. People were asked to avoid the area while emergency services worked at the scene.

The school is to remain closed for the rest of the day while investigation work takes place on the structural integrity of the building.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Beacon CE School said “We are shocked at today’s incident but relieved that no children were in the classroom at the time. We would like to thank staff for the calm and professional manner in which they have dealt with this and for pupils, parents and carers for responding well and enabling us to evacuate the area safely.

“We are also very grateful for the prompt response of the emergency services. We will have the building properly assessed as a priority and hope to be able to open the majority of the building tomorrow but will confirm this directly to the school community in due course.”

Beacon CE School is part of the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, a multi-academy organisation which describes itself as welcoming “young people of all faiths and none, working together to provide an excellent education built on distinctly Christian values.” It has been part of the trust since 2017.

In a statement following the incident, Merseyside Police said: "The building will be assessed for any structural damage. "The school will be closed for the rest of the day and road closures are in place.

“Please avoid the area."

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews were alerted at 08.34 and on scene at 08.39, with two fire engines and the search and rescue team attending. This was a road traffic collision (RTC) involving one vehicle into a school building.

“No persons were trapped, two occupants of the vehicle are in the care of North West Ambulance Service. Merseyside Police also attended and a cordon around the building was put in place.
Fire Service personnel made the scene and vehicle safe, and the Search and Rescue team erected temporary shoring to the affected area. Utilities to the affected building have been isolated and a structural engineer requested.

“A full roll call at the school was completed with all persons accounted for. The scene was handed over to Merseyside Police and crews left the scene at 09.32."

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