The bus was struck from behind by a truck at the intersection of Exford Road and Murphys Road in Melbourne's Eynesbury. Photo: Google Maps
WARNING: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing.
Children have suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including amputations and crushed limbs, after a horrific school bus crash in Melbourne's west on Tuesday afternoon.
The bus was struck from behind by a truck at the intersection of Exford Road and Murphys Road in Eynesbury at about 3:45pm.
The bus, which was carrying 45 children from the Exford Primary School, then overturned as it was turning right at the intersection, leaving a number of children with serious injuries.
Police today said the truck driver was expected to be charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury.
Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) chief executive Bernadette McDonald said nine children were admitted to the hospital yesterday and a number of those required extensive surgery.
"The children have suffered multiple and traumatic injuries including partial and complete amputations of arms, multiple crushed limb injuries, severe lacerations to head and body, head injuries, glass shard injuries and three patients are currently receiving spinal support," she said.
"Some of these patients will require returns to theatres and multiple surgeries in the coming days and coming weeks."
The children admitted to the RCH are aged between 5 and 11.
Two children were discharged last night, but seven remain in the hospital in a serious condition. One is in intensive care.
"I would never say they were lucky, we have to acknowledge this is traumatic for every single person that is involved," McDonald said.
"We have some very traumatised families and children in our hospital at the moment and we are working extremely hard to provide that trauma support and care that they will need.
"The parents are obviously traumatised. They had to wait until the early hours of the morning to be reunited with their children."
The hospital said many of the children injured in the crash will require long-term rehabilitation.
Six children were also treated at Sunshine Hospital Tuesday night, three of whom were discharged and three remain in hospital in a stable condition.
The male bus driver is also in hospital.
Bus driver's actions may have prevented worse injury: police
Police said the driver of the truck, a 49-year-old man, was held overnight and is expected to be charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said the actions of the bus driver prior to the impact may have prevented multiple fatalities.
"From the account, he saw the truck bearing down on the bus. He did try to take some form of evasive action of trying to steer out of the way prior to the collision so he saw it before it happened," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
Lineham said the crash site was a confronting scene for all those who attended.
"Absolutely horrific injuries. Our hearts go out to those children, to the families involved and also to the wider community around Exford and Melton," he said.
"This is the sort of critical incident, particularly when it involves vulnerable members of the community, that really resonates with the wider community."
School principal, staff attended crash site
Premier Daniel Andrews praised the staff at the school for their response to the accident.
"What an amazing school community, so tight, so close," he said.
"And to all of those staff and parents, the whole community, our thoughts are with you and our support is there for you as well."
Victoria's Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said her department was supporting those affected by the crash and had arranged for counsellors to attend the school.
"Our thoughts are with the students, their families and the staff who were involved in yesterday's collision, especially those students who were injured and the families this tragedy has touched," she said.
"We acknowledge the response from the principal and staff at Exford Primary School, who all attended the scene and ensured every child involved was supported and looked after.
"During this difficult time, we request that the community respect the privacy of the school community and all those affected within it."
- ABC