12-Year-Old Girl Killed, Dozens Injured in School Bus Rollover – Stonehaven, VIC – 27 August 2025

What happened

Incident Overview

A tragic school bus crash occurred on the Hamilton Highway at Stonehaven, west of Geelong, on Wednesday morning, August 27, 2025. The bus, carrying 28 students from Christian College Geelong, rolled while turning left from Friend in Hand Road onto the highway. Year 7 student Milla Killeen, 12, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene. Another 16-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while 23 other students and the bus driver sustained a range of minor to moderate injuries.

“Her kindness, warmth and joy impacted all who shared her company.” — Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal, Christian College Geelong

• Crash Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (morning)
• Location: Hamilton Highway near Friend in Hand Road, Stonehaven, Victoria

• School bus carrying 28 students and driven by a 76-year-old man

• Fatality:
  • Milla Killeen, 12, Year 7 student, died from injuries sustained in the crash.
• Serious Injuries:
  • 16-year-old male student airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
• No Injuries:
  • Bus driver, 76-year-old man, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, released after treatment.
  • Nine students taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • A further 14 students transported to hospital for observation.

The death of Milla Killeen has left Christian College Geelong and the wider community in grief. Milla was remembered as a kind and talented basketball player with an “infectious personality.” The incident has renewed attention on student transport safety and caused widespread sorrow across Geelong and Victoria. Flowers and tributes have been left at the school and community members are rallying to support affected families.

Emergency Response

• Paramedics, police, and fire crews attended the crash site on the Hamilton Highway.
• A 16-year-old boy was airlifted by helicopter to hospital.
• Multiple students were transported to hospital by ambulance for treatment and observation.
• The bus driver was interviewed and later released pending further enquiries.

“This is a time of unimaginable loss… we are coming together as a community to support one another.” — Christian College Geelong statement

Investigation

Victoria Police are examining:

• The sequence of events that led to the bus rolling while turning onto the Hamilton Highway.
• Possible contributing factors including speed, driver condition, and mechanical faults.
• Statements from students, staff, and witnesses as well as forensic vehicle inspections.

Appeal for Information

Authorities are urging anyone with information or dashcam/CCTV footage to contact:

• Crime Stoppers VIC: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at [www.crimestoppersvic.com.au](https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au)
• Witness Reporting: Contact Victoria Police directly or at the nearest police station.