A Geelong schoolgirl who lost her life in a tragic school bus accident has been honored as a ‘beautiful person’ whose ‘warmth and joy impacted all’.
Christian College Geelong year 7 student Milla Killeen has been identifed as the student who died at the scene.
The 12-year-old was a keen and talented basketballer who played for Victoria’s Geelong United and played at the state championships.
The accident took place at the junction of the Hamilton Highway and Friend In Hand Road in Stonehaven, near Geelong, Victoria, at 8.20am on Wednesday.
Victoria Police confirmed a 16-year-old boy from Inverleigh was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The 76-year-old bus driver from Hamlyn Heights and nine students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital by ambulance.
A further 14 students were taken to hospital for observation.
The driver was released from hospital yesterday and is assisting police with their enquiries.
Christian College Geelong year 7 student Milla Killeen has been named as the student who tragically lost her life
The crash happpen at Stonehaven, just outside of Geelong, Victoria, at 8.20am on Wednesday
A classmate who witnessed the crash recalled the horror when the bus rolled and crashed.
‘The bus was turning, the wind was immensely strong, it caused the bus to topple onto its side, leading to the death of a year 7 student named Milla Killeen, while passengers remained trapped,’ a witness shared with the Daily Mail.
‘There were crazy winds in Geelong. Then after everyone got out the bus caught alight.
‘It was really awful. Lots of people were upset and now our school is offering support for people.
‘Several children sustained injuries, with some being sent to the Royal Children’s Hospital and others to a hospital in Geelong. The bus was from Stonehaven.’
‘Everyone kind of went into shock after that and then the school called all the parents.
‘By day’s end, everyone had to be picked up from school as buses weren’t operational, and since teachers were in meetings, we had substitute classes all day.’
Christian College Geelong Executive Principal Dr Mathilda Joubert said the tragedy was a ‘profoundly distressing situation for our entire school community’.
Milla was a talented basketballer
The crash occurred in Stonehaven more than a 100km west of Melbourne
‘It is with great sadness I confirm that the student who tragically lost their life in yesterday’s bus accident was Milla Killeen in Year 7,’ Dr Joubert said.
‘Milla will be remembered for her beautiful personal qualities, her vibrancy and infectious personality.
‘Her kindness, warmth and joy impacted all who shared her company. Milla was a keen and talented basketballer, and an integral part of the Christian College representative team at the recent State Championships.
‘She was a treasured member of our college community, and her loss is deeply felt by all staff, students and our Christian College families.
‘This is a time of unimaginable loss. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with Milla’s family, and our college will continue to provide ongoing support.
‘In our deep grief, we are also coming together as a community to support one another, drawing strength from God, and the care and compassion that Milla herself demonstrated to others.
Milla’s kindness, warmth and joy impacted all who shared her company
‘We ask that the family’s privacy, and that of our college community, be respected as we mourn this tragedy together.’
Daily Mail understands five children were transferred to the Royal Children’s hospital in Melbourne for treatment.
The college bus was understood to have been carrying about 28 students when it crashed and rolled-over.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said police are probing multiple possible causes for the tragic accident.
The top MCIU investigator said police will look at everything including fatigue, possible drug or alcohol use, mechanical issues, medical episodes, driver competency and the intersection itself.
Milla was a talented basketballer who competed at the state championships
Sergeant Lineham also described yesterday morning’s crash scene as ‘really confronting’ for police, emergency services and parents.
‘As a parent myself it really does hit home,’ he said.
Parents raced to the crash site while paramedics treated patients and emergency services worked overtime to free students trapped in the bus.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said two emergency helicopter crews, two mobile intensive care units and four advanced life support teams were required.
A black tarp covered the front of the rolled-over bus while several students were photographed standing near the scene cloaked in blankets.
Victoria Police escorted some parents to the crash site while the majority of the other students were transported from the scene in another bus.
Several children were seen wrapped in blankets and being transferred onto another bus following the crash.
Police had the scene lockdown as they investigated
A witness said they felt ‘sick’ when the saw emergency services fly towards the scene.
‘We were driving to school this morning and multiple emergency vehicles flew past us,’ they said.
‘I knew it was not good, I feel sick as a parent.’
Christian College Geelong owns and operates a fleet of 30 buses, transport almost 900 students to and from campuses across Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast daily on 23 separate routes
Geelong locals took to social media to express their sadness over the ‘horrific’ accident.
A school in our own backyard sending so much love to CCG, students, teachers and the whole CC school community,’ a local mum posted on Facebook.
‘This is just devastating for any parent or carer who pops their children on a bus before and after school, in the hope they get their safely. Hits so close to home.’
Others highlighted the crash occurred at a ‘horrible stretch of road’ while others hoped the tragedy would lead to the road getting fixed.
‘Maybe now they will fix the road?,’ a local Facebook user posted.
‘Pity it always takes a death.’
Premier Jacinta Allan also expressed her condolences via a social media post.
‘My thoughts are with the students, their families, the school and the entire Geelong community. We stand ready to support you in every way we can,’ Ms Allan posted on X.
‘I also want to thank the first responders who have acted with professionalism and compassion in such difficult circumstances. This tragedy will weigh heavily on them too – especially in what is already a dark and difficult week. These moments touch us all. They remind us to hold our loved ones a little tighter.’
