A devastating school bus accident north-west of Geelong in Victoria has claimed the life of a young girl and left over a dozen others injured, some seriously, on Tuesday morning.

The Christian College Geelong bus was carrying 28 primary and high school students on a routine morning pickup when it rolled onto its side at approximately 8:20 a.m., trapping students inside.

The incident occurred as the bus attempted a left turn onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road in Stonehaven. Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of the overturned vehicle.

Ambulance Victoria acting manager Dave Shearer described the scene as chaotic and distressing, particularly for arriving parents. “There were some parents that turned up at the scene here. Obviously, there were some incredibly distressed parents,” he said.

The tragedy resulted in the immediate death of a young girl at the scene. In addition, one boy was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital with serious, though non-life-threatening, injuries.

Nine other students sustained injuries including broken bones and a skull fracture and were transported by ambulance to University Hospital Geelong. Another 14 students with minor injuries were taken to the hospital for observation.

Many of the injuries included abrasions, bruises, and fractures, reflecting the violent nature of the rollover. The bus driver, a 76-year-old man from Hamlyn Heights, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

He has since been discharged from the hospital and is cooperating with police investigations. Authorities confirmed that he passed preliminary blood and alcohol testing at the scene; further blood tests are being conducted to assist with the inquiry.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit, represented by Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham, described the scene as “very confronting” for first responders.

“Any life lost on the road is one too many, and particularly confronting and challenging when there are 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.”

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. Authorities are examining factors ranging from bus mechanics and road conditions to whether students were wearing the installed seatbelts at the time.

The Hamilton Highway remains closed in both directions between Inverleigh and Geelong, with motorists redirected through the Geelong Ring Road, Princes Highway, and Inverleigh-Winchelsea Road.

Christian College Geelong executive principal Dr. Mathilda Joubert expressed profound sadness over the incident, emphasizing support for the affected families. “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, and we are supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles extended his condolences via social media, reflecting on the impact on 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,” he wrote.

As investigations continue and emergency responders work to clear the crash site, the Geelong community mourns a young life lost and rallies around the families of those injured, facing a day of grief and shock that will be felt across the region for some time.