A truck driver has been charged after a collision with a school bus that left several children with "life-changing injuries".
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Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged the 49-year-old truck driver from Balliang East with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury
Eighteen children aged between five and 11 were taken to hospital after the bus rolled in Eynesbury, west of Melbourne, shortly before 4pm on May 16.
Seven were seriously injured and specialist doctors were called in to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne to perform emergency surgeries.
The bus driver, 52, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash.
The bus was carrying 45 students home from Exford Primary School when it collided with a tipper-truck.
Royal Children's Hospital chief executive Bernadette McDonald told reporters one child had a complete limb amputation due to their injuries.
"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 and glass shard injuries," Ms McDonald said.
"Three patients are currently receiving spinal support and being monitored, carefully, in terms of spinal injuries."
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Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Cruse said police will allege the bus was struck from behind by the truck, causing it to flip onto its side.
He described passers-by and staff from the school who jumped in to help the children as "heroes".
"The bus driver, despite being injured, I understand that he helped some of the children out of the bus," he said.
He said witnesses and emergency services arrived to a "horrific" scene.
"It's sort of unimaginable... that the children were in their classrooms and such a short time later so seriously injured so close to school," he said.
Superintendent Cruse said police would continue investigating the cause of the crash including whether inattention or speed played a role.
Exford Primary School principal Lisa Campo thanked everyone who had helped the children after the crash.
"It's distressing knowing what our kids have been through and I can only imagine their fear in being confronted with that scene," she said.
Ms Campo revealed she and other teachers had rushed to the scene.
She said parents and staffed were "undeniably very distressed" and support would be provided for the school community.
The truck driver is due to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court on May 17.
With Australian Associated Press
