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26 May 2023
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Major rescue operation to free school children trapped in a bus wreck at Eynesbury, Australia
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45 primary school children have been caught up in an emergency rescue operation after their bus was involved in a collision with a truck at Eynesbury in Melbourne's west, Australia, on Tuesday, 16 May 2023, trapping several of the children. Nine children were seriously injured. The CEO of Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Bernadette McDonald said a number of the children required extensive surgery. “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, glass shard injuries and three patients are currently receiving spinal support,” she said.
The children were between the ages of five and 11. 21 children were taken to hospital; two of the children were discharged but seven remain in the hospital with one in ICU.
Trapped onboard and pleading for their parents, the primary school children waited desperately as tradesmen worked to free them via the emergency skylight.
Dozens of paramedics and police personnel worked desperately to free the children from the bus, while bystanders, parents and teachers from the local school comforted others.
Ambulance Victoria said the nine critical children were taken to hospital, along with an adult and three other children in a stable condition.
Photos from the scene show dozens of emergency workers freeing those trapped on board through an emergency exit.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse said 46 people, including the bus driver, had been on the bus. He said police believe the bus was trying to turn right before the truck collided with its rear wheel.
A number of children were helped out of the bus by passersby before emergency services arrived.
The bus driver, who escaped with minor injuries, is recovering at home. Meanwhile, the director of the bus company, Campbell Christian, said the driver was "deeply traumatised by the accident".
Calls for seatbelt mandate in school busses
Asked if it was time for Victoria to mandate seatbelts on school busses, Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would consider if greater regulation was necessary once crash investigators made their findings. The question came after rescuers said it was not clear if all school children had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. "A different and better system to keep our kids safe that may well be something that comes out of this," Premier Andrews said.
"If there are [lessons] there, we absolutely stand ready to make change and to make sure we keep our kids safe."
Premier Andrews said he was proud of those who helped rescue children from the upturned bus. "Tradies, teachers and all sorts of people … everyone did an amazing thing. So often, in the worst of times, we see the best of people. I'm proud of them and I say thank you to them."
Sources: ABC News, 9 News
The children were between the ages of five and 11. 21 children were taken to hospital; two of the children were discharged but seven remain in the hospital with one in ICU.
Trapped onboard and pleading for their parents, the primary school children waited desperately as tradesmen worked to free them via the emergency skylight.
Dozens of paramedics and police personnel worked desperately to free the children from the bus, while bystanders, parents and teachers from the local school comforted others.
Ambulance Victoria said the nine critical children were taken to hospital, along with an adult and three other children in a stable condition.
Photos from the scene show dozens of emergency workers freeing those trapped on board through an emergency exit.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse said 46 people, including the bus driver, had been on the bus. He said police believe the bus was trying to turn right before the truck collided with its rear wheel.
A number of children were helped out of the bus by passersby before emergency services arrived.
The bus driver, who escaped with minor injuries, is recovering at home. Meanwhile, the director of the bus company, Campbell Christian, said the driver was "deeply traumatised by the accident".
Calls for seatbelt mandate in school busses
Asked if it was time for Victoria to mandate seatbelts on school busses, Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would consider if greater regulation was necessary once crash investigators made their findings. The question came after rescuers said it was not clear if all school children had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. "A different and better system to keep our kids safe that may well be something that comes out of this," Premier Andrews said.
"If there are [lessons] there, we absolutely stand ready to make change and to make sure we keep our kids safe."
Premier Andrews said he was proud of those who helped rescue children from the upturned bus. "Tradies, teachers and all sorts of people … everyone did an amazing thing. So often, in the worst of times, we see the best of people. I'm proud of them and I say thank you to them."
Sources: ABC News, 9 News
