Two School Students Hospitalized with Serious Injuries After Stolen Car Crashes in Canberra’s South – March 28, 2025

Incident Overview
Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, have been hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a stolen car outside St Edmund’s College in Canberra’s south on Friday, March 28, 2025 , at approximately 9:10 am . The incident is part of a series of crashes involving the same vehicle, which was allegedly stolen earlier in the day from a childcare center in Sutton , just outside the ACT.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, was detained by members of the public after crashing the vehicle outside St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka . He has since been taken to the Canberra City Watch House and is expected to face multiple charges, including driving-related offenses.

Emergency services treated the two students at the scene before transporting them to the hospital. One of the boys underwent surgery for his injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to assist with their investigation.

Details of the Incident

• Crash Date: Friday, March 28, 2025 (approximately 9:10 am).
• Location: Outside St Edmund’s College, Canberra Avenue, and later outside St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka.
• Vehicles Involved: A green Holden Commodore station wagon, allegedly stolen earlier in the day.
• Victims:
  • A 14-year-old boy, seriously injured.
  • A 15-year-old boy, seriously injured and undergoing surgery.

The sequence of events began when the vehicle was stolen from a childcare center in Sutton at approximately 7:40 am . An eight-year-old girl was inside the car at the time but was released unharmed about 100 meters down the road shortly afterward.

Police pursued the vehicle as it entered the ACT via Canberra Avenue . At approximately 9:10 am , the car struck the two teenage boys as they crossed Canberra Avenue to attend school. The driver did not stop and continued for over a kilometer before crashing into another vehicle near St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka .

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded swiftly to both crash sites. Two plainclothes officers arrived within minutes of the collision outside St Edmund’s College and began administering first aid to the injured students.

Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Steel praised the efforts of emergency responders and highlighted the critical role they played in stabilizing the situation:

“We’re pretty proud of the efforts of those two members, because if they hadn’t arrived at the scene, the situation could have been a lot worse.”

The two teenagers were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. One boy underwent surgery, while the other received treatment for severe trauma.

At the second crash site in Manuka , two tradespeople apprehended the driver after he attempted to flee the scene. Police arrived shortly afterward and took him into custody.

Community Impact
The incident has deeply affected the St Edmund’s College community, where both injured students are enrolled. Principal Tim Cleary issued a statement to parents, expressing support for the boys and their families:

“The students’ parents are with the boys as they receive care in hospital.”

Local residents and businesses also played a crucial role in detaining the driver and assisting authorities. A witness described how tradespeople chased the man down and restrained him until police arrived:

“I saw these tradies chase this fella down the road and jumped on him, grabbed him. [They] didn’t even think twice.”

Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Steel commended the community response, noting that schools and local organizations quickly rallied to provide support for the affected students and families.

Police Investigation
The ACT Collision Investigations Unit is conducting a detailed investigation into the crashes, focusing on:

• The circumstances surrounding the theft of the vehicle in **Sutton**.
• The actions of the driver leading up to the collisions, including speed and erratic driving behavior.
• Road conditions and visibility at the time of the crashes.
• Potential factors such as distraction, fatigue, or impairment.

Authorities confirmed that the 31-year-old driver, who is known to police, was the sole occupant of the vehicle during the incidents. No police chase occurred, but officers attempted to use “stop sticks” at the border, which were unsuccessful.

The driver was treated for injuries sustained in the crashes under police guard before being taken to the Canberra City Watch House . He is expected to face charges related to driving offenses and the condition of the injured boys may influence additional charges.

Police are urging anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV recordings to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact:

• Crime Stoppers: Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Road Safety Context
This incident underscores the dangers posed by reckless and unlawful driving, particularly involving stolen vehicles. Authorities are urging drivers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to prevent similar tragedies.

The collision highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially children and teenagers, in school zones and busy urban areas. Advocates are calling for increased traffic enforcement and improved road safety measures to protect all road users.