A female Christian College Geelong student has died and several children have been injured after a school bus rolled over in a horrific accident.
It’s understood the the female student died at the scene. She has yet to be identified.
She and other injured children were on a bus own and maintained by the college, which has three campuses in the region.
The horror crash occurred at the intersection of the Hamilton Highway and Friend In Hand Road at Stonehaven, just outside of Geelong, Victoria, at 8.20am on Wednesday.
Victoria Police confirmed a boy was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The bus driver, a 76-year-old man Hamlyn Heights man, along with nine students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were conveyed to hospital by road ambulance.
A further 14 students were taken to hospital for observation.
The bus driver has been released from hospital and is assisting police with their enquiries.
Daily Mail understands five children were transferred to the Royal Children’s hospital in Melbourne for treatment.
The college bus was understood to have been carrying about 28 students when it crashed and rolled-over.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said police are probing multiple possible causes for the tragic accident.
The top MCIU investigator, who just finished briefing press at the scene, said police will look at everything including fatigue, possible drug or alcohol use, mechanical issues, medical episodes, driver competency and the intersection itself.
Sergeant Lineham also described the crash scene this morning as ‘really confronting’ for police, emergency services and parents.
‘As a parent myself it really does hit home,’ he said.
Christian College Geelong Executive Principal Dr Mathilda Joubert said the tragedy was a ‘profoundly distressing situation for our entire school community’.
‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that a Christian College student has tragically lost their life in a school bus accident this morning,’ Dr Joubert said.
‘Several other students were also injured. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted. We are supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.
‘This is a profoundly distressing situation for our entire school community.
‘As the matter is now the subject of a Victoria Police investigation, we are unable to provide any further information at this time.’
Victoria Police set up a command post on Wednesday morning.
Parents raced to the crash site while paramedics treated patients and emergency services worked overtime to free students trapped in the bus.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said two emergency helicopter crews, two mobile intensive care units and four advanced life support teams were required.
A black tarp is covering the front of the rolled-over bus while several students were photographed standing near the scene cloaked in blankets.
Victoria Police escorted some parents to the crash site while the majority of the other students were transported from the scene in another bus.
Several children were seen wrapped in blankets and being transferred onto another bus following the crash.
A witness said they felt ‘sick’ when the saw emergency services fly towards the scene.
‘We were driving to school this morning and multiple emergency vehicles flew past us,’ they said.
‘I knew it was not good, I feel sick as a parent.’
Christian College Geelong owns and operates a fleet of 30 buses, transport almost 900 students to and from campuses across Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast daily on 23 separate routes, the Geelong Advertiser reported.
The school’s website states buses are maintained for the ‘highest level of passenger safety and comfort’ with its Highton depot including a two-bay garage with a hoist and employs two full-time bus mechanics.
The buses aren’t just used to travel to and from school, with some used for excursions, sporting events, camps and music and outdoor education trips.
Geelong locals took to social media to express their sadness over the ‘horrific’ accident.
‘A school in our own backyard sending so much love to CCG, students, teachers and the whole CC school community,’ a local mum posted on Facebook.
‘This is just devastating for any parent or carer who pops their children on a bus before and after school, in the hope they get their safely. Hits so close to home.’
Others highlighted the crash occurred at a ‘horrible stretch of road’ while others hoped the tragedy would lead to the road getting fixed.
‘Maybe now they will fix the road?,’ a local Facebook user posted.
‘Pity it always takes a death.’
The Department of Transport confirmed the Hamilton Highway is closed in both directions for a stretch between Inverleigh and Geelong.
Motorists should consider using the Geelong Ring Road, Princes Highway, and Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road, adding nearly 30km to the journey,’ a statement said.
‘The closure is under the control of Victoria Police, and the road will be reopened once investigations are complete and it is safe to do so.
‘Our signals team is monitoring conditions and will adjust traffic lights as needed to minimise congestion for detouring traffic.’
Premier Jacinta Allan also expressed her condolences via a social media post.
‘My thoughts are with the students, their families, the school and the entire Geelong community. We stand ready to support you in every way we can,’ Ms Allan posted on X.
‘I also want to thank the first responders who have acted with professionalism and compassion in such difficult circumstances. This tragedy will weigh heavily on them too – especially in what is already a dark and difficult week. These moments touch us all. They remind us to hold our loved ones a little tighter.’
State opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson expressed her deepest condolences to the ‘students and families impacted by the accident’.
‘This unimaginable tragedy will cause immense distress within the local community. My thoughts are with the students, families, and school community at this heartbreaking time,’ she said.
‘The safety and wellbeing of students in educational settings is paramount. The Victorian Opposition stands ready to work with the Government and parliament to ensure all necessary supports are provided to those affected.’