Geelong College student hit by car hours after 6yo dies in Teesdale alleged hit-run

Hours after a boy was killed while walking to the bus stop in Teesdale another student was struck by a car in Newtown and hospitalised on Thursday.

Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller speaking at an event in 2023. Photo: Philip Hatton, Fundamental Events

A Geelong College student was struck by a car in school traffic just hours after a six-year-old schoolboy was killed in an alleged hit-run while walking to the bus stop in Teesdale on Thursday.

Paramedics raced to Newtown on Thursday afternoon after a Geelong College year seven student was struck by a car while crossing Aphrasia St about 4pm.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the boy was taken to Geelong hospital in a stable condition after being treated for upper body injuries.

The incident occurred just hours after six-year-old Caleb Wesley was struck and killed in an alleged hit-run while walking to the bus stop with his siblings on Bannockburn-Shelford Rd in Teesdale on Thursday morning.

An 84-year-old woman stopped at the scene but police allege she then got back into her vehicle and drove away.

Covenant College student Caleb Wesley died on Thursday when he was fatally struck in an alleged hit-run. Picture: Supplied.

She was released from custody, pending further inquiries, on Thursday night.

Following both incidents, Geelong College principal Peter Miller penned a message to parents and carers at the school, revealing the year seven student had been discharged from hospital on Thursday night and spent Friday resting at home.

“We have been in contact with the family and are relieved to share that the student has sustained relatively minor injuries,” Dr Miller wrote.

He noted the “more tragic” outcome of the Teesdale incident, offering the college’s “heartfelt condolences and support to all those affected”.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider community during this incredibly difficult time,” Dr Miller said.

The two incidents were a reminder about traffic and pedestrian safety around schools, Dr Miller said.

Geelong College.

“This morning (Friday), we reassured our year seven students, and reminded them, and the wider middle school community, to use designated crossings whenever possible, and to be extra cautious when crossing roads,” he wrote.

The volume of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic in Newtown, “especially in Aphrasia St” was particularly high between 3.30pm and 4pm each school day, Dr Miller said.

Almost 3,500 students from three schools – Geelong College, Sacred Heart and St Joseph’s, empty out into the area after the school day.

“In addition to this normal load, the recent utility works on Aphrasia Street has reduced access and further congested the area,” Dr Miller wrote.

“Although only temporary, this has exacerbated the situation in our immediate neighbourhood.”

Dr Miller concluded the message by asking parents, carers and students to “take particular care on foot or in cars around our schools”.

Originally published as Geelong College student hit by car hours after 6yo dies in Teesdale alleged hit-run