Tuesday afternoon’s collision near Melbourne has left several children with life-altering injuries and lengthy recoveries.
A truck and a school bus collided in Australia, resulting in severe injuries to at least seven students.
After the accident, which occurred about 50 kilometers west of central Melbourne, one of the students required amputation.
The truck collided with the rear of the bus, which was transporting 45 students back to their elementary school following an athletics competition.
The bus flipped over, trapping several minors inside.
Firefighters had to enter the bus through the roof skylight before using the bus’s shattered windscreen as the primary exit.
After the accident, 18 children were brought to the hospital, with seven of them still receiving treatment on Wednesday.
With life-altering injuries, many of them now face a lengthy road to recovery.
Bernadette McDonald, chief executive officer of the Royal Children’s Hospital, stated that one child had a complete amputation of his limb, while others had partial amputations.
She stated, “The children have sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including partial and complete amputations of extremities, multiple crushed limb injuries, severe lacerations to the head and body, and injuries from glass shards.
And presently, three patients are receiving spinal support and being closely monitored for spinal injuries.
She praised the doctors, nurses, and surgeons who had treated the children, stating, “I could not get people to go home last night. They wanted to stay and assist in any way they could.”
The 52-year-old bus driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Victoria Police accused the 49-year-old lorry driver with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious harm.
Wednesday, he will appear in court in Melbourne.
