A school girl has died and more than a dozen other people have been injured after a school bus rolled north-west of Geelong in Victoria.
A Christian College Geelong school bus was turning left onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road in Stonehaven when it rolled on its side, trapping students inside, about 8.20am.
The bus was carrying 28 primary school and high school-aged students at the time.
A girl died at the scene.
A boy was airlifted to The Royal Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Nine other students suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash and were taken to University Hospital Geelong in ambulances.
Another 14 students with minor injuries were taken to the hospital for observation.
The bus driver, a 76-year-old Hamlyn Heights man, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He has since been discharged and is assisting police with their enquiries at Geelong Police Station.
Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said the scene was “very confronting” for first responders.
“Any life lost on the road is one too many, and particularly confronting and challenging when there’s children involved,” Lineham said.
“For the first members on scene to come across a bus with one child deceased and multiple children injured is incredibly confronting.”
At this stage, the exact circumstances of the crash remain unknown.
“We’ll take into consideration everything from the mechanics of the bus through to the conditions at the time,” Lineham said.
Seatbelts were installed on the bus, but police said it was too early to determine whether they were worn at the time of the crash.
Ambulance Victoria Acting Barwon South-West Area Manager Dave Shearer said some students had suffered injuries such as abrasions and bruises.
“One child was transported via air Ambulance to the Royal Children’s with serious injuries. My understanding is they have improved this afternoon,” Shearer said.
“It’s a challenging day for everyone, whether you’re a parent, a member of the school community [or] a member of the broader community.”
Christian College Geelong executive principal Dr Mathilda Joubert said the tragedy was “profoundly distressing” for the school community in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a Christian College student has tragically lost their life in a school bus accident this morning,” 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.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles took to social media to express his condolences.
“My heart breaks hearing the devastating news of a school bus incident and death of a student in my hometown of Geelong,” Marles said in a post to X.
“My first thoughts are with the family, friends and the school at this time and those that are injured.
“I am mindful the incident is still unfolding and further information is still coming to light but I do know this will affect so many in Geelong as we are a tight-knit community.”
The Hamilton Highway has been closed in both directions between Inverleigh and Geelong.
The Department of Transport said motorists have had almost 30km added to their journey as they are redirected through the Geelong Ring Road, Princes Highway and Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road.
Closures will remain in place until the crash is cleared and investigations are complete.
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