A Victorian school is mourning the “unimaginable loss” of a 12-year-old student who died in a bus rollover north-west of Geelong.

A bus from Christian College Geelong, carrying 28 students from both primary and secondary levels, tipped over onto its side around 8:20 a.m. yesterday. The accident occurred when the bus was making a left turn onto the Hamilton Highway from Firiend in Hand Road in Stonehaven.

The incident triggered a multi-agency emergency response to free students trapped inside.

Year 7 student Milla Killeen died at the scene.

Mathilda Joubert, the executive principal of Christian College Geelong, shared that both the family and the school community are united in mourning the “unimaginable loss” and “tragedy” they are facing.

“Milla will be remembered for her beautiful personal qualities, her vibrancy and infectious personality,” she said in a statement.

“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.”

Christian College Geelong will provide ongoing support to her peers and family.

“In our profound sorrow, we are also coming together as a community to support each other, drawing strength from God, and the care and kindness that Milla herself showed to others,” Joubert remarked.

A total of 24 students were taken to hospital.

A 16-year-old boy suffered serious injuries, nine students had non-life-threatening injuries, and 14 students were taken for observation.

Yesterday’s bus crash has come as a shock to both the school and the local community.

Ambulance Victoria’s acting manager, Dave Shearer, noted that there were “incredibly distressed” parents present at the crash site. Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham described the situation as “incredibly confronting” for those responding first to the scene.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said his “heart breaks” to have learnt of the incident near his hometown of Geelong.

“My first thoughts are with the family, friends and the school at this time and those that are injured,” he said.

“I recognize the incident is continuing to develop and additional information is emerging, yet I am aware it will have a significant impact on many in Geelong, as we are a close-knit community.”

The bus driver, a 76-year-old man, was discharged from hospital and interviewed at Geelong Police Station.

He has been released pending further investigation.

Police said the bus driver had passed preliminary blood and alcohol testing at the scene and will have further blood work done.

The exact circumstances of the crash remain unknown.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has vision or information that could help police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.