Assumption College Kilmore bus driver dead, students injured in school bus crash in Victoria

A 65-year-old bus driver has died after smashing into a tree while driving 32 students home from Assumption College Kilmore in Victoria.

Emergency services are attending the scene of a school bus crash in Kilmore. Picture: 7News

A bus driver has died after smashing into a tree while driving students home in a town north of Melbourne.

The Assumption College Kilmore bus was travelling along Wandong Road in Kilmore just after 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon when it veered off the road.

The 65-year-old Wallan man died at the scene from injuries sustained by the impact with the tree.

A total of 32 children were on the bus, with some suffering from minor injuries and one student sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

As of Wednesday night, emergency services remained at the scene.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are still underway, with roads in the area expected to be closed off for some time.

Assumption College informed the school community on social media that its Mauve school bus had been involved in an accident.

Emergency services are attending the scene of a school bus crash in Kilmore. Picture: 7News

“Thankfully, none of the students were seriously injured,” the secondary school said in a statement.

“A number of students were treated for minor injuries at the scene by emergency services.

“All are expected to return home this evening.”

The Catholic coeducational school said all families were notified of the crash and that its principal, Paul Finneran, and other staff travelled to the scene.

“Counselling and other support will be made available to students and families,” the statement continued.

“The College thanks emergency services for their rapid and professional response.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved in this accident.”

Emergency services are attending the scene of a school bus crash in Kilmore. Picture: 7News

Ambulance Victoria said significant resources had been dispatched to the scene, including two ambulance helicopters and 10 on-road resources.

Colby, a tradie who was driving home from work when he saw the scene, swept in to help rescue dozens of students from the emergency exit of the bus.

“I just hit the brakes and ran over,” he told the Herald Sun.

Emergency services are attending the scene of a school bus crash in Kilmore. Picture: 7News

“When I got there me and another fella jumped through the window and helped the kids out, I wasn’t sure of the bus driver though.

“Some were a bit shaken up but most of them were okay.”

He said someone had checked on the driver and that about 10-15 also rushed over to help out.

“We smashed one of the front emergency windows open with the hammer, we brought a ladder over and helped them out from the top of the bus.”