Oliver Lees
Bacchus Marsh State Emergency Service (SES) unit volunteers have been recognised for their “brave and selfless” response to the Pentland Hills bus crash, which left 31 people requiring emergency assistance.
On Thursday April 18 the eleven volunteers received the group commendation of service award, which is the highest honour available to emergency service volunteers in Victoria.
The recognition stems from the unit’s response to an incident in the early hours of September 21 2022, when a request for assistance was made for an incident on the Western Freeway near Condons Lane.
A collision between a B-double truck and bus has caused the bus to flip and careen down an embankment.
The rescue situation was dangerous and presented many complicated factors, as surmised shortly after by Victoria Police detective inspector Roger Schranz in a statement: “The bus has gone off the side on an angle and rested on its side…I would have assumed someone would have passed away out of this entire tragedy, so they’re all very fortunate people involved”.
In total 27 children and four adults required assistance from emergency services, who were required to lug rescue equipment across difficult terrain and coordinate with other rescue providers.
Nobody died in the crash, but two children were airlifted to a nearby hospital while others were treated by paramedics at the scene.
SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said he was “incredibly proud” of the work of the volunteers.
“Our professional volunteers showcased their specialist rescue skills and lived out VICSES’ value commitment to its community in such a complex rescue involving mass casualties, working efficiently and collaboratively with our partner agencies to successfully rescue multiple victims in life-threatening scenarios, whilst assisting multiple walking wounded as well,” he said.
“This incident presented unique physical, mental and emotional challenges for our VICSES volunteers, which were only exacerbated by having children involved.”
SES Bacchus Marsh unit controller Mick Schembri said his crew members always work to provide the best service for the community.
“VICSES volunteers don’t turn out to these incidents in the hope of receiving an award for their response – we turn out to ensure the safety of our community and, along with the other emergency service providers on scene, we were able to do so on this occasion,” he said.
“Our volunteers are resourceful, brave and selfless, and they have provided an important service to their community each day since this event.”
