Truck driver charged over Eynesbury school bus crash granted bail
A truckie charged over the Eynesbury school bus crash has been granted bail, after telling police he saw the “sun flicker” between trees in the moments before the smash.
Police & Courts
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A truck driver claims he saw a light “flicker” between the trees moments before he smashed into the back of a school bus in Melbourne’s west, causing life-changing injuries to multiple primary students.
Two children have had hands and arms amputated, eight kids suffered life-threatening injuries, and a further 30 were “walking wounded” after Jamie Robert Gleeson crashed into the Exford Primary School bus on Tuesday afternoon.
The horror injuries to dozens of children were detailed in court on Wednesday as Mr Gleeson, a father-of-two, was granted bail over four charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
Those serious injuries related to four children, including two nine-year-olds and two ten-year-olds.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Gleeson, 49, had seen the “sun flicker in the trees” before he smashed into the back of the bus on Exford Rd as it turned right into Murphys Rd, about 3.55pm.
“I tried to take evasive action but I couldn’t, and if I could have swerved around it I would have,” the Balliang East man told police, according to a summary of the offending read to the court.
Prosecutor Ben Kerlin said two children had limb amputations, eight suffered life-threatening injuries, another eight had serious injuries, nine kids had been trapped in the bus and a further 30 children were described as “walking wounded”.
In a police interview on Wednesday morning, Mr Gleeson, who has been driving trucks for 18-years, described how he drove past the primary school on his usual route as he headed home from his shift.
He said he saw the sun flickering through the trees, or flashing light from sunlight coming through the trees, which could “change distance and depth perception”.
“Whether that played a part in what happened ... I couldn’t tell you”, he said, according to the documents.
He’d experienced this sun flickering before and previously slowed down, but “didn’t change too much, just normal driving and wore his sunglasses”
Mr Gleeson told police he recalled seeing the bus driving about 80m ahead of him, then “the next thing I know, the bus in front slowed and started to go to the right and all of a sudden I saw brake lights”.
The bus driver — who sustained serious injuries — told police he was turning right into Murphys Rd when he noticed the truck was approaching behind at a fast speed.
The court heard the bus driver tried to accelerate through his turn to get out of the way, while Mr Gleeson hit the emergency brakes about 40m before impact.
Despite attempts to avoid the collision, the truck crashed into the back of the bus carrying 46 children, causing it to flip on its side.
Mr Gleeson, who was uninjured, drove his truck to a stop before calling triple-0 and assisting kids out of the bus.
He had no drugs or alcohol in his system, and no criminal history.
Appearing via video link from custody at Sunshine police station, Mr Gleeson sat silently with his hands in his lap, fingers entwined, wearing a hi-vis orange and navy blue workwear top.
Police did not oppose his application for bail, which Magistrate Andrew McKenna granted with conditions.
His Honour ordered that Mr Gleeson not drive any heavy vehicles, contact any witnesses in the case or leave the state of Victoria.
Police asked for a lengthy 16-weeks to put together a brief of evidence, while Mr Kerlin indicated that further charges could be added.
Mr Gleeson will return to court on October 18.
The trucking company Mr Gleeson was driving for, L & J Cartage, said it was shocked and saddened by what had happened.
“At what is a very distressing time, the owners of a small, family-owned transport company, can confirm one of its trucks was involved in an incident with a bus in Eynesbury on Tuesday,” it said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to everyone involved, especially the children and their families. We are deeply shocked and saddened at what has happened.
“The 49-year-old driver of the truck and trailer was on his way home, and his truck was empty. He has been driving trucks for more than 20 years, and with L & J Cartage for more than 15 years. He has assisted police with inquiries. He is a father of two.”
L & J Cartage is a family-owned business that has been operating for nearly 30 years.
Truck driver son of prominent trainer
It can be revealed Mr Gleeson is the son of prominent trots trainer Ginger Gleeson.
Ginger Gleeson was in 2019 awarded harness racing’s highest honour, the Gordon Rothacker Medal, for his “enormous contribution” to all aspects of the sport, including training and mentoring of others.
He remained president of the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association (VTDA) for 21 years after taking on the role in 1988.
Mr Gleeson appears to share his father’s love of horses.
Pictures of Mr Gleeson with several horses and ponies can be seen on his social media accounts.
He also is believed to be an avid clay target shooter, having frequented the Geelong Clay Target Club in recent months.
It comes after one child underwent a “complete” amputation while another is in the ICU after the school bus collided with the truck in Melbourne’s west on Tuesday.
Seven of the children remained in hospital in a serious condition on Wednesday.
It is understood the child’s arm was severed when it became trapped between the seat and the window. Surgeons were unable to reattach the limb.
Specialist plastic and vascular surgeons were brought across from the Royal Melbourne Hospital to assist.
Some children had to undergo partial amputations of crushed arms, while others are said to have received “de-gloving” injuries during the crash.
De-gloving is a traumatic injury that results in layers of skin and tissue being torn away from the muscle or bone.
The bus driver, a 52-year-old man from Melton West, was being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Parents were reunited with the children in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the patients left theatre.
Royal Children’s Hospital chief executive Bernadette McDonald said it had been “traumatic for every single person” involved with the school.
“The children have suffered multiple and traumatic injuries, partial and complete amputations, severe lacerations to head and body, head injuries, glass shard injuries and three patients are receiving spinal support,” she said.
“At this stage we have a number of children who have partial (amputation), we only have one child who has a complete amputation.”
Ms McDonald said it was a miracle no one was killed and detailed how traumatised the families were.
“I am extremely surprised (there were no fatalities),” she added.
“I would never say they were lucky, we have to acknowledge that.
“This is traumatic for every single person that was involved with families, we have some very traumatised families and children in our hospital at the moment.
“We’re working extremely hard to provide that trauma support and care that they will need, not just now but in the coming weeks and months.”
Ms McDonald said it was unclear if the children were wearing seatbelts and declined to comment further.
She said she expected the child in the ICU to leave the unit on Wednesday.
Speaking from outside the school on Wednesday, Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse said several children’s injuries were “life-changing”.
“The bus driver despite being injured, I understand he helped some of the children out of the bus,” he said.
“We had passers-by who have heroically stopped immediately to assist with children who could be removed.”
Superintendent Cruse described the scene as “chaotic” and confronting, particularly for members of the public who stopped to help.
Superintendent Cruse said: “Firstly thank you, undoubtedly their actions have helped these children get to hospital.
“I understand there was diesel leaking from the bus.
“As I said, some of the injuries were really very traumatic and that at would be a very difficult scene for passers-by to come across.”
He said teachers from the primary school assisted with triaging children.
Superintendent Cruse said police would investigate whether inattention on the truck driver’s behalf was behind the collision.
He said more charges could be laid against the truck driver pending investigations.
Jessica Hodges, whose son attends Exford Primary School and is friends with one the boys injured in the bus crash, said the school community had “rallied around each other” to support families.
‘We’ve created a GoFundMe page to support parents going through this tragedy,” Ms Hodges told the Herald Sun.
“We want to help them with the financial strain, hospital visits, parking, time off work, plus the life-changing injuries these children have sustained, it’s unimaginable,” she said.
“If anyone can do anything to help these parents that would be absolutely appreciative of it.”
Ms Hodges said the school was “fantastic” and the incident had “shaken” the community.
“This school has gone above and beyond in every way imaginable. The mums are organising for all of our kids to write some cards and letters.
“We are thinking of everyone affected by this tragedy. We will be strong and get through it as a school community.”
To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/exford-families
Speaking to ABC radio on Wednesday morning, Major Collision Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said several first responders who attended the crash site would need ongoing mental health support.
“It was quite confronting for the first responders. There was a debrief conducted afterwards, however there will be members who are required to speak to the police psychology unit and counselling to help with this,” he said.
“The scene was quite horrific.”
Sergeant Lineham confirmed the bus carrying the children was fitted with seatbelts, but it remained unclear whether all children were wearing them during the crash.
“We don’t know how many of the children were restrained by seatbelts at the time of the collision,” he said.
Parents and teachers in shock
The mood was sombre at Exford Primary School on Wednesday morning as parents dropped off their children while police helicopters hovered overhead.
One staff member held back tears as she ushered children through the school entrance.
Counsellors will be on site to provide support to students.
Police and tow truck operators cleared the scene on Wednesday.
Students’ backpacks and debris were scattered across the grass while the bus was carefully lifted upright with the help of a tow truck, revealing a missing side and smashed windows.
The front windscreen was also smashed.
The bus appeared to be fitted with seatbelts but authorities have not yet revealed whether the students were wearing them at the time of the crash.
Police continued to examine several tyre marks on the left side of the road heading west.
The B-double truck remained about 100m from the crash site, sitting upright on the left side of the road.
Weir Views man Shahid Munir, whose daughter is in year 5 at Exford Primary School, said the incident had inflicted pain on the wider school community.
“It’s very sad, very unfortunate,” he said.
“We feel so sorry for them because they are just kids, it’s really heartbreaking.”
The school has been in communication via email with parents throughout the ordeal, according to Mr Munir.
“They’ve been updating us, they’re very nice,” he said.
Mr Munir also said he had concerns about the speed limit in the area.
“I feel this road should have less (of a speed limit) than 80km,” he said.
“It’s very weird, very few people care about the speed.”
Many parents from the school expressed shock about the crash on social media.
“Thinking of all those impacted by this accident, especially our nephews and niece,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
Another resident wrote on Facebook that the scene of the crash was “horrific”.
“This is just devastating for our community,” she wrote. “Thinking of all involved and their families.
“This really is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
A Department of Education spokesman on Wednesday said: “Our thoughts are with the students, their families and the staff who were involved in yesterday’s collision, especially those students who were injured and the families this tragedy has touched”.
“We acknowledge the response from the principal and staff at Exford Primary School, who all attended the scene and ensured every child involved was supported and looked after,” he said.
“During this difficult time, we request that the community respect the privacy of the school community and all those affected within it.
“The Department will continue to extend all resources to support students, staff and families.”
It also thanked the emergency services and all of the passers-by who stopped to help.
The Department has arranged for a range of supports for the school, including counsellors to be on site to support students.
On Wednesday morning, local MP Steve McGhie said his thoughts were with the families and loved ones affected by the terrible tragedy, as well as the entire Exford Primary School community.
“I have again spoken to Principal Lisa Campo this morning for an update and reiterated that she has my full support and that of the governments at this very difficult time,” Mr McGhie said.
“I want to acknowledge the response from Principal Philip Coloca and staff at Eynesbury Primary School, who all attended the scene and ensured every child involved was supported and looked after.
“I also want to again thank our amazing emergency service workers.
“During this difficult time, we need to respect the privacy of the school community and all those affected within it.
“If anyone requires assistance, please contact my office on 9743 9825 or email stephen.mcghie@parliament.vic.gov.au.”
Authorities lashed over intersection
Residents in Melton and Eynesbury have slammed local authorities for failing to address growing fears before the crash that someone could be killed at the “dangerous” Exford Rd intersection.
They say it’s only a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs as the local government “turns a blind eye” to their concerns about the number of trucks that reportedly speed through the area.
It is understood residents have been complaining about “cowboy truck drivers” tearing through the intersection for more than two years.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Melton resident Kelye Crofts said residents have previously raised concerns about the lack of safety at the intersection with both local MP Steve McGhie and Melton City Council.
“The MP here (Mr McGhie) turns a blind eye to a lot of things that need to be looked at in Melton. I’m worried that someone will be killed at the intersection,” she said.
“It’s so sad that we have an MP that isn’t doing anything to make the road safer for everyone. Trucks are very dangerous on that road.
“That intersection is so dangerous, specifically when there is a hill coming to the intersection, it takes so long to be able to turn on to that road.
Calls are mounting for additional traffic lights to be installed at various points along Exford Rd in a bid to slow traffic before drivers arrive at Murphys Rd.
A stretch of Exford Rd underwent reconstruction between Eynesbury Rd and the bridge at the Werribee River last year, but no plans appear to have been documented for upgrades or improvements near Murphys Rd.
“They definitely need lights at the Melton Exford Rd intersection before somebody gets killed,” Ms Crofts said.
Eynesbury resident Shaminder Singh wrote on Facebook: “Traffic lights are a must at the Exford Rd and Greigs Rd intersection to slow the traffic to avoid such incidents, at least for the sake of school children’s safety”.
Mr McGhie and Melton City Council have been contacted for comment.
Another resident wrote: “The government needs to step up now and do something because this could have been so much worse”.
Dean, a local Exford resident of about 25 years, said the community has been lobbying to make the intersection at Murphy’s Road and Exford Road safer for years.
“As you’re approaching that intersection you can’t see the signage, it’s covered with branches, it’s all impeded, there’s no lights, so no drivers can actually see the road until you’re actually there,” he said.
“We’ve asked to do a slip lane, so we can safely turn right.”
“When cars are (following closely), you have to hog the road, and the passing cars go off the side and flick stones up.”
“A lot of cars will vere to the right so cars can pass, which is risky, and not the right thing to do.”
Dean lives on Murphy’s Road and says the intersection is the cause of concern for many residents in the area, but the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“Even turning onto Exford Road, when you have people overtaking, we’ve had so many close calls,” he said.
“It’s because there are only 15 properties (on Murphy’s Road) that I don’t think they’re willing to do anything.”
According to Dean steps have been taken to make the road safer, and he hopes that more will be done in the wake of this tragic event.
“Exford Road used to be just one lane with dirt on either side, and Murphy’s Lane was a dirt road,” he said.
“I just thought when they did the road up they should’ve done it safer.”
“That’s what it takes doesn’t it, when there’s an actual incident.”
“We stress for that slip lane.”
Passers-by rush to free children from wreckage
Some of the injured chilren were dragged from the wreckage by quick-acting passers-by who witnessed the impact and immediately moved to the confronting scene in Exford Rd just after 3.30pm.
Specialist crash investigators were at the scene of the collision on Tuesday night trying to establish how the crash happened.
Superintendent Michael Cruse, of Victoria Police, said the bus was travelling west along its Exford Rd route.
“I understand they were leaving the school community to go home,” he said.
As the bus moved to turn right into Murphys Rd, it was struck by the truck, Superintendent Cruse said.
He said other motorists pulled over and went to work removing those children who could be taken from the bus.
Superintendent Cruse said it was a “chaotic scene” as emergency services converged and anxious parents also started to arrive.
The truck’s driver stopped at the scene and assisted police.
Exford Primary School is 900m from the crash site.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics took 11 children and an adult, the driver of the bus, to hospital after treating them at the scene.
“Some children have left the scene by other means, and paramedics are continuing to assess those who remain,” the statement said.
“No details of the ages or sexes of the patients are available at this time.”
At about 8pm the Royal Children’s Hospital issued a stand down of a Code Brown order.
A Code Brown is an emergency medical alert typically activated for transport accidents, natural disasters and mass casualty events.
Detectives from the Victoria Police major collision investigation unit remained at Exford Rd on Tuesday evening.
They said they would interview witnesses and conduct crash reconstruction work as part of their inquiry.
A staff member from Exford Primary School told the Herald Sun the school’s principal, Lisa Campo, was at the scene helping emergency services and supporting the school community.
Dozens of paramedics, police and firefighters were at the scene at the height of the rescue operation.
“We enacted all of our plans to respond to this,” Superintendent Cruse said.
Many of the children come from the nearby Eynesbury, Weir Views and Exford estates, as well as the Melton area. The school has 279 students.
— With additional reporting by William Keech and Susie O’Brien
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