Seven children still in hospital two days after horror school bus crash west of Melbourne (2024)

Seven children remain in the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne two days after their school bus rolled when it was hit by a truck in a horror crash

The children, who are aged between five and 11, are all now in a stable condition, despite having life-changing injuries including amputations.

Another 11 children were also taken to hospitals after the crash near the intersection of Exford Road and Murphys Road at Eynesbury at about 3.40pm on Tuesday.

Passing drivers, tradies and teachers rushed to rescue and comfort the 45 children involved in the "horrific" crash on their way home from school, with tradie Dean Eastway one of the first on the scene.

'Heaps of screaming': Actions of passers-by hailed as heroic

Eastway, along with several others, worked to pull kids out of the bus shortly after it overturned.

He described the situation as "absolutely terrible".

"There was heaps of screaming, the kids were wanting to get out of there and they were just pinned down," Eastway said.

Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse described the actions of the passersby as "heroic".

"To have acted the way they did is really admirable," he said.

"It was a horrific scene and it was really chaotic."

The bus had only just left Exford Primary School and was just 900m away when the crash occurred.

"It's unimaginable to imagine that the children were in their classrooms and such a short time later so seriously injured so close to school," Cruse said.

He said the bus driver, who was injured himself, also helped to get children out of the bus.

Exford Primary School principal Liza Campo said most teachers rushed to the crash site upon hearing of the incident, while others stayed at the school to manage it from there, and that she did not expect to find as serious of a scene as they did.

"Our staff just instinctively wrapped their arms around the kids and provided love and support in a really difficult situation," she said.

Cruse said it was important drivers had conversations about road safety following the "avoidable" crash.

"Some of the injuries are truly life-changing - and this incident was avoidable, as are so many of the incidents that police and emergency services attend to."

Cruse said "inattention is something that (police) are actively looking at as part of the investigation", while more charges are expected to be laid.

"It was avoidable," he claimed.

The bus was attempting to turn right onto Murphys Road when the truck collided with the rear of the bus, causing "significant" damage, he said.

Jamie Gleeson, 49, from Balliang East, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, where was granted bail.

The truck company, L & J Cartage, has this morning released a statement about the "very distressing" incident.

"Our hearts go out to everyone involved, especially the children and their families. We are deeply shocked and saddened at what has happened," a spokesperson said.

The company confirmed Gleeson was on his way home, having been driving trucks for more than 20 years, and with L & J Cartage for more than 15 years.

'Horrific injuries': Seven kids remain in serious condition

Royal Children's Hospital chief executive officer Bernadette McDonald yesterday morning said she was surprised all children survived the horrific accident.

Nine children aged between five and 11 were rushed to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

"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," she said.

An emergency Code Brown was enacted at the hospital on Tuesday night to deal with the bus crash victims.

McDonald said the children's parents were not able to be reunited with them until the early hours of the morning.

"It will be a long journey for these children and their families," McDonald said. 

Parents were offered accommodation at the hospital overnight.

Locals have told 3AW the stretch of road where the crash occurred is a problem area and needs urgent attention.

Chelsea, an Eynesbury local and paramedic, told 3AW she's "been saying for years" there would be horrific crashes on that stretch of road, while truck driver Joe said he's seen some appalling behaviour by drivers there.

Premier Daniel Andrews praised first responders, teachers and hospital staff for their response to the "deeply distressing incident" while speaking to media this morning.

"What an amazing school community," he said.

Andrews said the government would support the school in any way possible.

'Speed often an issue'

Local residents say they're horrified but not surprised a collision like this has happened on Exford Road.

The speed zone out the front of the school is 60km/h, but quickly goes up to 100km/h.

Kim Jovanello said speed was often an issue on the road.

"You really have to slow down," she said.

"You have got people dropping off their kids, coming in and out of school.

"Something needs to be done."

A Department of Education spokesperson has also said the department's thoughts are with the students, families and staff involved.

"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," the spokesperson said.

"The Department will continue to extend all resources to support students, staff and families."

Eynesbury is located about 44km from Melbourne, near Melton.

Exford Primary School is a coeducational school for years prep to six with 279 students enrolled.

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