Bacchus Marsh bus crash: Loreto College Ballarat students rushed to hospital

Loreto College, Ballarat, in Victoria's Central Highlands, confirmed 27 students were on their way to Melbourne airport for the trip to US the when the crash occurred.

The bus was involved a collision with a truck west of Melbourne at about 3.15am on Wednesday, September 21.

Two students were flown to hospital in a serious but stable condition, while other passengers and the drivers were taken to the Royal Melbourne, Sunshine, Footscray, and Ballarat Base hospitals in stable conditions.

This afternoon Loreto College issued a statement that all injured students were recovering in medical care.

Principal Michelle Brodrick said it was "an extremely difficult and upsetting time for the Loreto College community".

"Some students have been discharged from hospital into the care of their parents. A number of staff and students remain in hospital for treatment for varying levels of injury.

"The advice we have received at this stage is that all are recovering."

The statement said the College would be open on Thursday for students, staff and families to be together, specifically to pray for the recovery of those injured in the accident.

Loreto will also offer counselling support to all members of the College community.

Victoria Police road crime investigations has revealed more detail of events leading up to the horror crash.

According to Detective Inspector Roger Schranz, VicRoads crews were "rehabilitating" the stretch of the Western Freeway following an earlier crash in the area on Tuesday night.

"The bus has slowed down, as per the signs indicating the reduced speeds, then the truck has come around the corner and headed down towards the hill, it's seen the speed reduction signs and banked up traffic and collided with the bus, forcing the bus off the left hand side of the freeway down the cliff," he told reporters at the scene," Detective Inspector Schranz said.

"It's quite miraculous - (the students) self-evacuated," he said.

"I'd say it was horrific for (the students), but just as horrific for their parents, I think it's every parent about to send their children off on a camp or for a longer term period, it's their worst nightmare.

"The truck driver is very fortunate to be alive, I think - I would have assumed someone would have passed away, they're all very fortunate."

There are no details on the first collision, except that heavy haulage was required and it occurred "not far" from the site of the bus crash.

The VicRoads workers were "working on the side of the road in relation to rope barriers destroyed from the previous collision", he said.

Detective Inspector Schranz said it was "early days" in the investigation, noting the truck driver involved in the bus crash had not yet made any comments.

"The driver was conveyed to hospital in Melbourne," he said.

Police are investigating the accident which involved a collision between a truck and the bus west of Melbourne early this morning.

The collision occurred around 3.15am on the Western Freeway, near the Condon's Lane intersection - the first major intersection for Bacchus Marsh heading into Melbourne.

Grampians Health confirmed the Ballarat Base Hospital has implemented a Code Brown in response to the bus crash which involved dozens of school students and staff from Loreto College Ballarat.

The collision caused the bus to roll down an embankment and one teenage girl was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

The bus contained 27 female students, four adults and the bus driver - all will be taken to hospital for observation.

The health service implemented the Code Brown due to the extra demand on its emergency resources.

The health service issued a statement saying its thoughts were with the students and families, and the wider Loreto community.

The College issued a statement saying they were appreciative of the quick and professional response of the Emergency Services personnel at the scene.

"Whilst our caring Loreto community will have deep concern for the injured, we will only be able to provide information of a general nature about the condition of students and staff in hospital. We thank for you for your understanding."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Things remained quiet at the Sturt Street, Ballarat, college which is currently on term three holidays but some staff were attending the campus.

A police vehicle remains parked at the school.

Loreto College conducts its annual 'space camp' as an opportunity for its best students to learn first hand the wonders and achievements of space travel.

However many students have been denied the opportunity in recent years due to travel lockdowns brought about by the pandemic.

Ambulance Victoria has detailed some of those hurt in the collision.

In a statement, Ambulance Victoria said paramedics responded to a bus and truck collision in Pentland Hills around 3:15am.

Paramedics assessed more than 30 people on scene for traumatic injuries, and transported them to hospital in various conditions.

Paramedics treated:

*one person who was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. No details on age/gender/injuries at this stage

*a teenage girl for lower body injuries who was flown to the Royal Children's Hospital in a serious but stable condition

*a man in his 50s for minor injuries who was taken by road to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition

*a woman in her 40s for upper body injuries who was taken by road to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious but stable condition

*a man in his 50s who was treated for lower body injuries and taken by road to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious but stable condition

*a teenage girl for upper body injuries who was taken by road to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition

*a woman in her 40s for upper body injuries who was taken by road to Sunshine Hospital in a stable condition

*two teenage girls for minor injuries who was taken by road to Sunshine Hospital in a stable condition

*a teenage girl for minor injuries who was taken by road to Western Hospital Footscray in a stable condition

*a teenage girl for back pain who was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition

*a teenage girl for upper body injuries who was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition

*a further 11 people have been taken by road to Ballarat Base Hospital all in a stable condition. No details on age/gender/injuries at this stage.

The Melbourne-bound lanes of the Western Freeway are expected to remain closed for several hours and motorists are urged to take an alternative route.

Police have asked concerned parents seeking information regarding their children are asked not to attend the scene and to instead call Ballarat Police Station on 5336 6000.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and urge any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

More to come