Man charged following 2025 fatal bus crash in Stonehaven

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a fatal bus crash in Stonehaven last year.

Emergency services were called to the Hamilton Highway following reports a school bus had rolled over about 8.20am on Wednesday 27 August 2025.

It’s believed the bus was turning left onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road when the incident occurred.

There were 31 school students on board the bus at the time ranging from primary to secondary school age.

Sadly, a 12-year-old girl from Teesdale died at the scene.

A 16-year-old boy from Inverleigh was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the bus, a 76-year-old man Hamlyn Heights man, along with nine students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were conveyed to hospital by road ambulance.

A further 14 students were taken to hospital for observation and the bus driver was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

Today, he was charged by detectives with dangerous driving causing death, fail to stop at stop sign and careless driving.

The Hamlyn Heights man was bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 August.

For the current provisional lives lost tally please see - https://www.police.vic.gov.au/road-safety

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