A Balliang East truck driver has faced court after being charged in relation to a bus crash that left multiple school children seriously injured.
Jamie Gleeson’s truck collided with a school bus at Eynesbury on Tuesday afternoon.
He has been charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
The court heard the 49-year-old told police he noticed flashes of sunlight coming through the trees.
He said he braked after noticing the brake lights on the bus, but did not have enough time to stop.
Some of the children have undergone amputations while others have spinal injuries.
Truck operator L & J Cartage has released a statement in which it described the crash as “heartbreaking”.
“Our hearts go out to everyone involved, especially the children and their families,” the statement read.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened at what has happened.”
Geelong tradesman Cameron Chalmers said he and his workmates from Mechtrol Geelong were travelling in convoy on their way home when they saw the collision.
“We weren’t even sure if there was anyone in the bus, but obviously a bus driver,” he told Geelong Broadcasters.
“As we got closer to the bus, we ripped the hatches off the roof and then we saw the bus full of kids.”
The group worked to evacuate as many children as they could, then stayed and comforted those trapped inside.
Cameron played down media reports describing he and his workmates as heroes.
“It’s just something that anyone would do, there’s nothing heroic about it – you just do what you’ve got to do.
“I’m sure everyone would to the same.”
Gleeson is due back in court in October.
Picture: The scene of the crash [Nine News]