A school bus carrying approximately 40 students and a teacher crashed in Erskine Park, in Sydney's west, on Thursday.
Emergency services responded to the incident, which left the driver in critical condition and several students hospitalized.
Incident
At approximately 1pm on Thursday, the bus was traveling on Erskine Park Road in Erskine Park when it veered off the road, struck a pole, and then collided with a tree. The vehicle was carrying about 40 teenagers and a teacher at the time of the crash.
Injuries and Hospitalizations
The driver, a man in his 50s, was briefly trapped in the vehicle before being freed by emergency personnel. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and is currently in critical condition at Westmead Hospital.
Eight students were transported to various hospitals. One student has suspected fractures. Source 1 reports eight students were hospitalized with minor injuries, while Source 2 states that five students aged 16-18 were taken to hospital, one of whom had fractures, and that two other patients were earlier transported to Nepean Hospital in stable condition. Other students and the teacher were assessed at the scene and were not physically injured.
Investigation
Authorities, including New South Wales Police, Ambulance services, and the Department of Education, are investigating the incident. Police are examining the possibility that the driver may have suffered a medical episode prior to the crash. As a result of the incident, the northbound lane of Erskine Park Road has been closed.