Most of the 27 students onboard a bus that was hit by a truck west of Melbourne were wearing seatbelts, authorities have confirmed, saying the safety measure may have saved their lives.
The school bus, operated by Little’s Coaches, was on the Western Highway at Bacchus Marsh in the early hours of Wednesday morning when it was hit by a truck after slowing down to avoid a separate crash.
It was carrying four adults and 27 students in years nine to 11 from Ballarat’s Loreto college, who were heading to Tullamarine airport for a trip to the US.
Although the exact number of those onboard wearing seatbelts is unknown, the Bus Association of Victoria (BAV) has confirmed most passengers had them on.
“It looks as if there were some who weren’t, but it was a seatbelted coach and the majority were wearing them,” executive director of the BAV, Chris Lowe, said.
“The whole circumstance could have been a lot worse if it was not seatbelted.”
Two teenage girls were flown to the Royal Children’s hospital in serious but stable condition.
A woman in her 40s and a man in his 50s were taken to the Royal Melbourne in serious but stable condition.
Eighteen others were taken to various hospitals in stable condition.
Lowe said the bus company had been operating in the Ballarat area since 1936 and had a strong safety record.
“They are extremely concerned for the wellbeing of their driver, the passengers, the truck driver who crashed into the coach and their community,” Lowe said.
“They are coopering with authorities as they go through the investigation.”
Police said the passengers “miraculously survived” the crash and the owner of Little’s Coaches personally took 11 students and some parents to Ballarat Base hospital in a separate bus.
“Quite miraculously, they’ve self-evacuated and other people, I believe truck drivers and that, stopped to assist them,” Det Insp Roger Schranz said on Wednesday.
“I would have assumed someone would have passed away out of this entire tragedy. So they’re all very fortunate people.”
Police will investigate whether drugs, alcohol or speed were factors in the crash.
Speaking to media earlier on Wednesday, the chief executive of Ballarat Health Services, Dale Fraser, said a code brown had to be enacted earlier at the hospital due to the number of patients arriving from the crash.
He said it was dropped by 2.30pm, and half an hour later, 13 patients had been discharged. Another three were admitted to the hospital and in a stable condition.
Acting Supt Jason Templar said a number of the injuries actually occurred after the impact, when people were being released from the seats, because the bus was upside down.
“We’re incredibly grateful that no one was killed,” he told media.
“Looking at the scene, how anyone wasn’t more injured is incredible.”
Loreto college Ballarat said in a statement it was grateful for the work of emergency crews who responded to the crash.
“The college is very appreciative of the quick and professional response of the emergency services personnel at the scene, and very grateful to Grampians Health for their ongoing support,” the statement said.
“Our caring Loreto community has deep concern for the injured and their families and we ask for their privacy to be respected.”
The school will remain open on Thursday despite the public holiday to allow students and families to come together and receive counselling, the principal, Michelle Brodrick, said.
– Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
