The school year has only just started, and there is already tragedy in the Macarthur region. Last week, a teenage boy died after being hit by a bus at the Macarthur Anglican School bus bay. Over the last few days, we’ve gotten more information about the bus crash and what has happened since last week. Out of respect for all people involved, no names will be mentioned.
In a news report by 7News, the bus that hit the 14-year-old who had just entered Year 9 was out of control when school got out just before 3 p.m. last Wednesday. The bus is believed to have had to mount the curb before hitting the tree, where a branch collapsed and was involved in the bus crash. Paramedics and police did everything they could to save the boy, performing CPR and even rushing him to a local hospital, but they could not, making him the only bus crash fatality.
According to a student interviewed (as per 7News), the bus hit a tree, and the next thing he knew, people started screaming and running. It was believed at the time that the driver had a medical episode.
Three ambulances and a helicopter were called to Macarthur Anglican. The female driver was taken to the hospital for testing. The boy was taken by road to Liverpool hospital, under police escort, but couldn’t be revived. Police later interviewed parents, staff and student witnesses to understand what happened.
The Boy’s Passing And The Second Accident Involving Teenage Boys
The boy was declared dead just after 4pm.
This tragedy is the second in three months to involve a teenage boy. The first happened in December 2022 in another suburb, when a 17-year-old was killed after his car was struck by another vehicle.
The crash investigation team will investigate the Macarthur Anglican accident and determine what happened.
At the time of 7News’s report, it was unknown if the bus driver would be charged. The reporter stressed that if the driver got behind the bus’ wheel, knowing she had a medical condition, she might be charged. However, he also noted that if the medical episode occurred and the driver didn’t know about it, it would be a different story.
The driver was treated for her injuries at Campbelltown Hospital before she was taken to Liverpool Hospital.
Driver Charged
It later emerged that the driver was charged at Liverpool Police Station, as per the Guardian. As a result, the driver’s licence was suspended. She has since appeared before Liverpool Local Court, where she was refused bail.
News.com.au reported that tributes flowed for the boy killed on and offline. One of the people to pay homage to the deceased boy was his older brother, who attended Macarthur Anglican and is in Year 11.
The news outlet alleges that the driver hit the boy as she was pulling the bus out of the bus bay. She was arrested at 8:30pm on February 16.
Moreover, the driver’s husband discovered what had happened after his wife phoned him from the police station. Her son was with her at the hospital, and she was distraught that the teenager had died.
The driver has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, driving dangerously and negligent driving occasioning death. She is believed to have worked in transport for many years.
According to another report by 7News, the driver was later given bail. We’re not sure which is true, as it could be a conflicting report with what the Guardian reported. The driver is due to face court again sometime in April.
