A young girl has died and more than a dozen students have been injured after a school bus rolled onto its side north-west of Geelong on Wednesday morning.
The Christian College Geelong bus, carrying 28 primary and secondary students on its routine morning pickup route, was turning left onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road at Stonehaven about 8.20am when it tipped and trapped children inside.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but tragically one girl died. A boy was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while nine other students – suffering broken bones, abrasions and a skull fracture – were taken to University Hospital Geelong. Another 14 students were taken to hospital for observation with minor injuries.
The bus driver, a 76-year-old man from Hamlyn Heights, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged. Police confirmed he passed preliminary alcohol and drug tests and is now assisting investigators.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham from the Major Collision Investigation Unit described the crash as “very confronting” for first responders. “Any life lost on the road is one too many, and particularly confronting when there are children involved,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria’s Dave Shearer said some parents arrived at the crash scene in distress as paramedics worked to free students. “It’s a challenging day for everyone – whether you’re a parent, a member of the school community, or the broader community,” he said.
Christian College Geelong’s executive principal, Dr Mathilda Joubert, called the incident “profoundly distressing”.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a Christian College student has tragically lost their life in a school bus accident this morning,” she said in a statement. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted. We are supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who represents the area, shared his condolences on social media. “My heart breaks hearing the devastating news … this will affect so many in Geelong as we are a tight-knit community,” he wrote.
Police are still investigating the circumstances of the rollover, including whether seatbelts were in use at the time.
Images: Victoria Police / 9 NEWS
