A Geelong schoolgirl killed after a school bus rolled over in a horrific accident has been remembered as a ‘beautiful person’ whose ‘warmth and joy impacted all’.
Christian College Geelong year seven student Milla Killeen has been identified as the student who died at the scene.
The 12-year-old was a keen and talented basketballer who played for Geelong United and competed at the Victoria state championships.
Milla was also artistic and a passionate Geelong Cats supporter.
Her family issued a heartfelt statement after their ‘worst fears were realised’.
‘Our whole family are struggling to come to terms with the loss of our beloved Milla,’ the family said.
‘We were made aware of the crash quite quickly, but it wasn’t for several hours that our worst fears were realised – Milla was the one that was sadly taken.
‘She was a beautiful soul with the whole world in front of her.
Christian College Geelong year seven student Milla Killeen (pictured with her father) has been identified as the student who died at the scene
Milla was a talented basketballer who competed at the state championships
The crash happened at Stonehaven, just outside of Geelong, Victoria, on Wednesday
‘Milla had the patience of a saint, she was so kind and protective of those she loved, especially her younger brother.
‘Milla was thriving at school where she loved learning new languages, it brought us great joy when she would come home and try to teach her nan bits of Indonesian or Japanese that she’d learned throughout the day.
‘Milla was very artistic, enjoyed drawing and designing lots of different things and she loved her sport.
‘She used to play junior footy but lately had been focusing on basketball where she reached representative level and was about to play in a final on Friday night.
‘Milla was a passionate supporter of the Geelong Football Club, and we will always remember her sitting in the stands with her mum and pa, cheering for the Cats.
‘We don’t know why this has happened.
‘It’s difficult to describe all the emotions we feel right now but we are supporting one another and now ask that our family’s privacy is respected.’
The crash occurred at the intersection of the Hamilton Highway and Friend In Hand Road at Stonehaven, just outside Geelong, at 8.20am on Wednesday.
The crash occurred in Stonehaven more than 100km west of Melbourne
Witnessed have now relived the dramatic moments immediately after the crash when the bus caught fire as students scrambled to safety.
‘The bus was turning and the wind was so strong and it pushed the bus over,’ one young witness told the Daily Mail.
‘It fell on its side and a year 7 girl called Milla Killeen died and they were all stuck in the bus.
‘There were crazy winds in Geelong. Then after everyone got out the bus caught alight.
‘It was really awful. Lots of people were upset and now our school is offering support for people.
‘There were a few kids who also got injured and some went to Royal Children’s Hospital and a few to a hospital in Geelong. The bus was one from Stonehaven.
‘Everyone kind of went into shock after that and then the school called all the parents.
‘And everyone had to get picked up from school at the end of the day and no one was allowed to go on the bus and we had substitutes all day because the teachers had meetings.’
Victoria Police confirmed a 16-year-old boy from Inverleigh was also airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The bus driver, a 76-year-old Hamlyn Heights man, and nine students suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital by ambulance.
A further 14 students were taken to hospital for observation.
The driver was released from hospital yesterday and is assisting police with their enquiries.
Christian College Geelong Executive Principal Dr Mathilda Joubert said the tragedy was a ‘profoundly distressing situation for our entire school community’.
‘It is with great sadness I confirm that the student who tragically lost their life in yesterday’s bus accident was Milla Killeen in Year 7,’ Dr Joubert said.
‘Milla will be remembered for her beautiful personal qualities, her vibrancy and infectious personality.
‘Her kindness, warmth and joy impacted all who shared her company. Milla was a keen and talented basketballer, and an integral part of the Christian College representative team at the recent State Championships.
‘She was a treasured member of our college community, and her loss is deeply felt by all staff, students and our Christian College families.
‘This is a time of unimaginable loss. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with Milla’s family, and our college will continue to provide ongoing support.
‘In our deep grief, we are also coming together as a community to support one another, drawing strength from God, and the care and compassion that Milla herself demonstrated to others.
‘We ask that the family’s privacy, and that of our college community, be respected as we mourn this tragedy together.’
Daily Mail understands five children were transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for treatment.
Christian College Geelong Executive Principal Dr Mathilda Joubert said Milla’s death was a ‘profoundly distressing situation for our entire school community’
The college bus was understood to have been carrying about 28 students when it crashed and rolled over.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham said police are probing several possible causes for the tragic accident.
The top MCIU investigator said police will look at everything, including fatigue, possible drug or alcohol use, mechanical issues, medical episodes, driver competency and the intersection itself.
Sergeant Lineham also described yesterday morning’s crash scene as ‘really confronting’ for police, emergency services and parents.
‘As a parent myself it really does hit home,’ he said.
Parents raced to the crash site while paramedics treated patients and emergency services worked overtime to free students trapped in the bus.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said two emergency helicopter crews, two mobile intensive care units and four advanced life support teams were required.
A black tarp covered the front of the rolled over bus while several students were photographed standing near the scene cloaked in blankets.
Victoria Police escorted some parents to the crash site while the majority of the other students were transported from the scene in another bus.
Several children were seen wrapped in blankets and being transferred onto another bus following the crash.
Christian College Geelong year 7 student Milla Killeen has been named as the student who tragically lost her life
A witness said they felt ‘sick’ when they saw emergency services fly towards the scene.
‘We were driving to school this morning and multiple emergency vehicles flew past us,’ they said.
‘I knew it was not good, I feel sick as a parent.’
Christian College Geelong owns and operates a fleet of 30 buses, transporting almost 900 students to and from campuses across Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast daily on 23 separate routes
Geelong locals took to social media to express their sadness over the ‘horrific’ accident.
‘A school in our own backyard – sending so much love to CCG, students, teachers and the whole CC school community,’ a local mum posted on Facebook.
‘This is just devastating for any parent or carer who pops their children on a bus before and after school, in the hope they get there safely. Hits so close to home.’
Others highlighted the crash occurred at a ‘horrible stretch of road’ while others hoped the tragedy would lead to the road getting fixed.
Police had the scene in lockdown as they investigated
‘Maybe now they will fix the road?’ a local Facebook user posted.
‘Pity it always takes a death.’
Premier Jacinta Allan also expressed her condolences via a social media post.
‘My thoughts are with the students, their families, the school and the entire Geelong community. We stand ready to support you in every way we can,’ Ms Allan posted on X.
‘I also want to thank the first responders who have acted with professionalism and compassion in such difficult circumstances.
‘This tragedy will weigh heavily on them too – especially in what is already a dark and difficult week.
‘These moments touch us all. They remind us to hold our loved ones a little tighter.’
