School bus carrying Batchelor Area School students swept into flooded Finniss River

A passing motorist has come to the rescue after a school bus carrying students to the NT’s Batchelor Area School was swept into a fast-flowing river. Watch the video.

An investigation has been launched into a bus company after a vehicle carrying school students was driven through floodwaters and swept into a river known to be home to crocs.

The CDC operated bus was transporting three students to Batchelor Area School Tuesday morning when the incident occurred at the Finniss River Crossing on Cheeney Rd, Batchelor, about 100km south of Darwin.

A Department of Education spokesman confirmed no one was hurt, after shocking footage showed the coaster minibus bus half submerged in fast-flowing water.

“The students and the driver were assisted by a passing motorist to exit the bus and were taken to safety,” the spokesman said.

“A second bus transported the students to the school.

“No one was injured in the incident and the school is providing support to the students and their families.”

A CDC bus was swept into the floodwaters of the Finniss River with three Batchelor Area School children on board. Picture: Supplied.

Other videos circulating social media shows the children piled on the back of a ute being driven away from the Finniss River, and water streaming out of the ute.

NT Worksafe confirmed it was not investigating the incident, as it was “not a notifiable incident under our work health and safety legislation”.

But, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is working with CDC Northern Territory – formerly Buslink – to investigate how the incident occurred.

A spokesman for DIPL said “the water was higher than the driver anticipated”.

“Safety is of the utmost importance and the department is working with the bus contractor to understand the circumstances that led to this incident.

“Road conditions can change rapidly depending on the time of year. Localised flooding may affect roads and make them impassable. Territorians are reminded – if it’s flooded, forget it.”

The department confirmed it would review the river crossing to see if any improvements were needed, with recommendations to be passed on to the Coomalie Shire for consideration.

School buses will take an alternative route.

In a statement, CDC Northern Territory said “cafety is of the utmost importance to CDC and we are working with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics to understand the circumstances that led to this incident”.