A child has died, while more than a dozen people have been hospitalised with two in critical condition after a school bus tipped.
The crash near Stonehaven on Wednesday morning closed a highway west of Geelong in Victoria’s south.
Police confirmed the death of a girl as it’s believed the bus was turning left onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road when the incident occurred.
There were 28 school students on board the bus at the time ranging from primary to secondary school age.
A boy was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the bus, a 76-year-old Hamlyn Heights man, along with eight students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were conveyed to hospital by road ambulance.
A further 11 students were taken to hospital for observation.
The bus driver has been released from hospital and is assisting police with their enquiries.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be established and an investigation is ongoing.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the incident will affect many in the tight-knit Geelong community.
My heart breaks hearing the devastating news of a school bus incident and death of a student in my hometown of Geelong.
My first thoughts are with the family, friends and the school at this time and those that are injured.
Victorian regional healthcare provider Barwon Health said 13 people were being treated at Geelong University Hospital, 12 of them children.
Two people are in a serious condition, with one being transferred to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
