A school bus driver has described slowing down and preparing to turn for more than 100 metres before a truck smashed into the vehicle, seriously injuring several children.
Graham Stanley is giving evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court as truck driver Jamie Gleeson stands trial on seven counts of dangerous driving.
It’s alleged Gleeson, 51, failed to maintain a proper distance from the bus or pay sufficient attention before the collision on the afternoon of May 16, 2023.
Seven students were seriously injured in the crash that happened 900m from Exford Primary School, west of Melbourne.
Mr Stanley on Wednesday told the court he began tapping on the brake pedal, activating the retarder system, about 100m before the crash.
He was unaware if the brake lights remained on throughout the entire slowing down period but he maintained his right-turn indicator was also on at the same time.
Mr Stanley told the jury he first noticed Gleeson’s truck behind him as he began the turn and he saw two large headlights in his side mirror.
“That’s when I’ve felt and heard an impact shudder through the bus,” he said.
He described slamming his foot on the brake pedal and grabbing the handbrake, causing the bus to spin and then roll on its side.
Mr Stanley told the jury he heard screams and the next thing he remembered was lying on the door of the bus as the vehicle had tipped on its side.
Some of the children were extracting themselves from the bus while others were still trapped with their seatbelts.
Mr Stanley told the jury he helped carry one young boy out of the bus while other members of the public also assisted.
The bus driver admitted he could not recall whether he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, although he was confident all of the students were wearing one.
His evidence will continue on Thursday.
