Seven children left seriously injured after bus crash in Melbourne

Six children were trapped in the bus.

Seven children are in hospital with serious injuries after a truck collided with a school bus on the outskirts of Melbourne Australia yesterday. The bus was carrying 45 students. A total of 21 children were taken to hospital after the accident and seven are still receiving medical care. The truck crashed into the back of the school bus causing it to over-turn at an intersection in a rural area called Eynesbury. According to The Argus, the children suffered injuries including arm amputations and suspected spinal injuries which were reported by a hospital official. Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne chief executive, Bernadette McDonald said the children range in age from 5-11 years old. She said: "The children have suffered multiple and traumatic injuries including partial and complete amputations of arms and multiple crushing injuries." Some children tragically suffered "severe lacerations of the head and body, head injuries, glass shard injuries and three patients are being monitored carefully in terms of spinal injuries." She also said that one child lost an entire arm but would not elaborate on how many of the injured had partial amputations. McDonald said the hospital staff are helping some extremely traumatised families. She said the entire team are working hard to care for the children and their families during this difficult time and they want to ensure there's further support set up for them. The Country Fire Authority said that six children were temporarily trapped in the wrecked bus.

#BREAKING #AUSTRALIA

?AUSTRALIA :#VIDEO HORRIFIC SCHOOL BUS CRASH IN MELBOURNE! The bus was carrying 45 students when it was hit by a truck from behind & rolled on Tuesday. At least 18 students seriously injured. #BreakingNews #UltimaHora #Melbourne #Accident #Accidente pic.twitter.com/s802BIJynB — LoveWorld (@LoveWorld_Peopl) May 17, 2023

"I hope I never see that again"

The bus was so badly damaged that emergency crews entered it through a skylight in its roof. The smashed-out windshield was used as the main emergency exit.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a 49-year-old truck driver following a collision involving a school bus in Eynesbury yesterday.

Eighteen children were taken to hospital, seven with serious injuries. Read more: https://t.co/I0ITJzLWJO pic.twitter.com/i2Eo6XYr8u — Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) May 17, 2023

The truck driver has since been arrested and charged by Australian police. The 49-year-old's name has not yet been released to the public. Victoria Police confirmed the driver was charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury. Michael Cruse, police superintendent said more charges are likely. He said: "Speed will be considered as well as part of the investigation." The principal of Exford Primary School, Lisa Campo drove from the school to the crash when she heard the news and was among those who helped. She said: "I didn’t know what I was going to see. I honestly thought I’d be just be there comforting some distressed kids who had been in been a minor collision. "I didn’t ever expect to see that and hope I never see that again."

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