UPDATE 7.51pm – THE school at the centre of this afternoon’s Nelson bus rollover has been confirmed as Adelaide’s Scotch College.
College principal Dr John Newton released a public statement around 20 minutes ago, confirming college students were involved in the accident which occurred during the school’s senior and intermediate rowing camp held at the Victorian town.
Dr Newton said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
“As a result of this accident a small number of students have sustained minor to moderate injuries and are receiving appropriate medical treatment at medical facilities, including two students who have been airlifted to Adelaide,” Dr Newton said.
“Other students and staff members are receiving precautionary medical attention.
“All families of students and staff involved in the accident have been notified and are being updated as appropriate information comes to hand.”
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UPDATE 7.11pm – SEVEN teenagers have now been conveyed to hospital as a result of this afternoon’s bus rollover near Nelson, Victorian Police has confirmed.
Speaking at the scene, Portland Highway Patrol Sergeant Ryan Nelson said two patients had been transferred to Mount Gambier Hospital by helicopter and would be flown to Adelaide by fixed-wing aircraft for further treatment.
The incident happened just before 4pm when the bus lost control on Portland-Nelson Road while rounding a corner, rolling onto its side.
Sgt Nelson said the bus was carrying 21 students and four adults from an Adelaide school, which was in the area on a rowing trip.
Police said a doctor living a kilometre away arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and started to triage patients.
Sgt Nelson said the seriously injured teenagers were “talking and sore but okay”.
“It is hard to imagine how the parents would be feeling but all of the kids are okay.”
The driver of the bus has been interviewed and is assisting police with the investigation.
Students were ferried from the scene in private vehicles with counseling services offered.
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UPDATE 6.30pm – AMBULANCE Victoria has confirmed two teenagers have been flown to hospital following this afternoon’s bus accident near Nelson.
A spokesperson said the injuries and condition of patients are not yet known.
Three high school students have been taken by road to the Mount Gambier Hospital and the injuries and conditions of all patients are not known.
Multiple patients are also being assessed at the scene but no other injuries have been reported.
More details to follow.
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FIVE teenagers have been taken to hospital after a school bus rolled onto its roof just outside Nelson at around 3.55pm (SA time) this afternoon.
Emergency services from South Australia and Victoria are currently responding to the accident, which occurred on Portland-Nelson Road on Nelson’s western fringe.
According to Victoria Police, it believed the bus lost control and rolled onto its roof.
More than 20 teenage passengers were on the bus at the time and five have been taken hospital so far.
A roadblock remains in place on Portland-Nelson Road.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More details to follow.
