A truck driver has been granted bail on dangerous driving charges over a crash on Melbourne's western fringe that left several primary school children with traumatic injuries.
WARNING: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing.
Children suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including amputations and crushed limbs, as a result of the crash.
Police said the bus was struck from behind by a truck at the intersection of Exford Road and Murphys Road in Eynesbury at about 3:45pm.
The bus, which was carrying 45 children from Exford Primary School, then overturned as it was turning right at the intersection.
The tip-truck driver, Jamie Gleeson, was on Wednesday charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
The 49-year-old from Balliang East, west of Melbourne, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via videolink from Sunshine Police Station.
The court heard Mr Gleeson had worked as a truck driver for 18 years and had a previously unblemished driving record.
Prosecutor Ben Kerlin told the court Mr Gleeson's truck hit the back of the school bus as he followed it west along Exford Road, pushing it onto its side.
The prosecution told the court Mr Gleeson called triple-0, helped to get children out of the bus and helped police.
Mr Gleeson, who was wearing a high-vis orange work shirt, sat with his hands folded in his lap during the hearing.
The court heard the truck driver tested negative to drugs and alcohol.
Mr Gleeson's application for bail was not opposed, but it was made conditional on him not driving heavy vehicles.
In granting bail, Magistrate Andrew McKenna took into account the length of time it will take prosecutors to build their case, because of the complexity of interviewing children.
Mr Gleeson is expected to face court again in October.
Responders faced 'horrific scene'
Mr Gleeson's lawyer told the court his client started work at 5.30am, carting five or six truckloads of clay from Bulla to Kensington throughout the day.
The court heard he had taken a break of about 35 minutes at a truck stop shortly before the crash.
Prosecutor Mr Kerlin, reading from a statement, said Mr Gleeson said he "usually took it easy" along Exford Road, which is a 60-kilometre zone during school drop-off and pick-up times.
He said Mr Gleeson told police he saw sunlight flickering through the trees in the moments before the crash.
"The driver stated he was gaining speed on the bus and then the next thing he noted the bus started to reduce speed," Mr Kerwin said.
"He only realised the bus was slowing when he saw the brake lights, it didn't seem to be very long and it seemed to be abrupt."
The four charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury relate to two nine-year-old children and two 10-year-olds.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse said earlier on Wednesday afternoon it was likely Mr Gleeson would face more charges.
He painted a picture of the "horrific scene" faced by those who responded to the crash.
"The bus driver, despite being injured, I understand that he helped some of the children out of the bus," Superintendent Cruse said.
"Then we had passers-by who have heroically stopped immediately … assisting the children who could be removed from the bus.
"Then we obviously had the emergency services respond. Some of the children were trapped ...
"It was chaotic and it would have been really confronting for those passers-by, so I think a special mention to those people."
Superintendent Cruse said some of the people who responded to the accident were from the school community.
He described the injuries suffered by some students as "life-changing".
Principal thanks community for 'love and support'
Exford Primary School Principal Lisa Campo said staff heard of the crash as a meeting was about to begin.
"Our staff just instinctively wrapped their arms around the kids and provided love and support and comfort in a really, really difficult situation," she said.
She said staff "flooded" the students with support.
"It's just distressing knowing what our kids have been through and I can only just imagine their fear being confronted with that scene," Ms Campo said.
She thanked the "amazingly efficient" emergency services, those who stopped to help and the education department for their support.
Ms Campo said the Exford School community had been inundated with "love and support and food and flowers".
"It's lovely to know that our community is right there with us," she said.
She said students continuing to attend classes were having a "school-approved pyjama day".
The principal said parents and teachers would be looking out for signs of distress in the students.
Students still receiving hospital treatment
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard nine children were trapped in the crash, and seven sustained life-threatening injuries.
Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) CEO Bernadette McDonald said nine children were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday and a number of those required extensive surgery.
"The children have suffered multiple and traumatic injuries including partial and complete amputations of arms, multiple crushed limb injuries, severe lacerations to head and body, head injuries, glass shard injuries and three patients are currently receiving spinal support," she said.
"Some of these patients will require returns to theatres and multiple surgeries in the coming days and coming weeks."
The children admitted to the RCH are aged between five and 11 years of age.
Two children were discharged on Tuesday night, but seven remain in the hospital in a serious condition. One is in intensive care.
"I would never say they were lucky, we have to acknowledge this is traumatic for every single person that is involved," Ms McDonald said.
"We have some very traumatised families and children in our hospital at the moment and we are working extremely hard to provide that trauma support and care that they will need."
The hospital said many of the children injured in the crash would require long-term rehabilitation.
Six children were also treated at Sunshine Hospital Tuesday night, three of whom were discharged and three remain in hospital in a stable condition.
The male bus driver was also hospitalised.
Prime minister, premier pay tribute
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among those who offered support to the families of those involved in the crash, describing the incident as heartbreaking.
"My heart goes out to these young students going to school who have been involved in this tragic accident with a heavy vehicle, with the injuries that have been sustained," he said.
"And once again, as well, we owe our thanks to the medical professionals, to the ambulance personnel, to the paramedics, to the doctors, the nurses, all those who have looked after these fine young people, who are suffering as a result of this accident."
Premier Daniel Andrews praised the staff at the school for their response to the accident.
"What an amazing school community, so tight, so close," he said.
"And to all of those staff and parents, the whole community, our thoughts are with you and our support is there for you as well."
Victoria's Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said her department was supporting those affected by the crash and had arranged for counsellors to attend the school.
"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," she said.
"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.
"During this difficult time, we request that the community respect the privacy of the school community and all those affected within it."
