A devastating accident involving a minibus on the Hume Highway in southeastern NSW has left several children and adults with serious injuries.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, has sent shockwaves through the community.
What Happened
According to eyewitnesses, the minibus rolled over on a bend in the highway near Marulan around 12 pm, trapping the occupants inside.
A witness, Floyd Creevey, told 10 News that passersby rushed to help one of the trapped occupants.
“There were about 12 or 20 of us that were getting waved over. We pushed the van up and we flipped it back over and pulled her out,” he said. “I hope she’s OK.”
Injuries and Casualties
The driver of the minibus, a man in his 50s, was critically injured and flown to Liverpool Hospital with shoulder and chest injuries.
A female passenger in her 30s suffered life-threatening crush injuries to her leg and pelvis and was taken to Canberra Hospital.
Five of the six children on board were seriously injured, with a teenage girl suffering serious crush injuries and being flown to Sydney in a stable condition.
Another teenage boy was taken to Canberra in a similar condition.
Three primary school-aged children were taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead with various injuries, but all are in a stable condition.
Emergency Response
Three helicopters were needed to transport the injured to hospitals in Sydney and Canberra. The highway was closed for several hours as emergency services worked to clear the scene.
Traffic NSW has warned of congestion in the area, and motorists are advised to avoid the route if possible.
Investigation Underway
Police are investigating the cause of the crash and are urging anyone with footage to come forward. As the investigation continues, the community is left to pick up the pieces and hope for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Update on the Crash Scene
As of 6:45 pm, the crash scene has been cleared, but Traffic NSW is warning of ongoing congestion. Motorists are advised to plan their route accordingly and expect delays.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for vigilance on our roads.