Two Adelaide teens hit by truck outside school, one in critical condition

A truck driver has been arrested after hitting three teenage students outside their school, with two rushed to hospital in serious and critical conditions.

A truck driver has been charged after two teenage students were hit and seriously injured outside a school as they made their way to morning classes.

A 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life in and a girl, also 16, is in a serious condition after the collision. A third student involved in the incident is recovering at home.

The boy and girl were struck by a truck at a pedestrian crossing on Kensington Road near Marryatville High School, east of Adelaide just after 8am on Wednesday.

Other students witnessed the shocking collision.

The 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital in a serious condition and the 16-year-old boy in a critical condition. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” Superintendent Narelle Kameniar said on Wednesday morning.

“Both have been taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for their injuries. There is a boy who is in a critical condition and a 16-year-old girl in a serious condition.

“It looks like the students were crossing the pedestrian crossing.”

Superintendent Narelle Kameniar said other students witnessed the accident. NewsWire / David Mariuz

Marryatville High School Principal John Tiver said on Wednesday afternoon a third student was also involved.

“Two of the students remain in hospital, while the third is recovering at home,” he said.

“We have been in contact with the students’ families to offer our support and the thoughts of our entire school community are with them at this difficult time.

“The Department for Education is providing wellbeing support and counselling to students and staff, which will continue to be available in coming days for those who need it.”

Police said the truck driver “may have gone through a red light”. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

The driver of the truck, a 60-year-old man, was arrested and charged with two counts of causing injury by dangerous driving.

He was bailed and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in June.

Superintendent Kameniar said major crash investigation teams were on the scene and police would “see what happens”.

“The school is dealing with the other students who witnessed this and the whole school community, it’s obviously very distressing for them,” she said.

Superintendent Kameniar said at least three out of the four traffic lights in the area were “clearly visible”. NewsWire / David Mariuz

“There are certain things that will never leave a person’s mind and seeing something as horrendous as that this morning would certainly be one of those things.

“There were other children at the crossing … and other vehicles stopped (to assist).”

Kensington Road remains closed to all traffic between Portrush Road and Hackett Ave. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

While Superintendent Kameniar said there were some tree branches near one of the traffic lights, she said three out of the four lights were “clearly visible”.

Kensington Road remains closed to all traffic between Portrush Road and Hackett Ave while Major Crash investigators examine the scene.

Police would not confirm whether any charges will be laid against the driver of the truck. NewsWire / David Mariuz

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.

Kensington Road has since reopened to motorists.