Key Takeaways
- A stolen Kia Optima crashed into a school bus in Geelong’s inner west on Thursday afternoon during a police pursuit
- A 37-year-old man and a woman, both from NSW, were arrested after attempting to flee from police
- The man was shot in the arm by police and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman sustained minor injuries
- No students or staff were injured in the incident, but precautionary safety procedures were implemented
- The incident is being investigated by armed crime squad detectives with Professional Standards Command oversight
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Geelong was shaken on Thursday afternoon when a stolen Kia Optima crashed into a school bus during a police pursuit. The incident occurred in the inner west of the city, near the intersection of the Princes Highway and Roebuck Street in Newtown. A police helicopter had spotted the stolen vehicle, which was being driven by a 37-year-old man and a woman, both from NSW. The car was driven at police officers, who fired shots before the vehicle collided with another car and then crashed into the school bus.
Eyewitness Accounts
Anthony Baric, a local resident, witnessed the incident from a nearby street. He saw the car "fly over the footpath" and take out a traffic light before hitting another car in the middle of the intersection. Baric’s daughter, who is a year 10 student, was not on the bus, but was shaken by the incident. She was at school when the incident occurred, and Baric said she was "petrified" by what had happened. Another eyewitness, a girl on the bus, captured the incident on camera, showing students taking cover as the car crashed into the bus.
Police Response and Investigation
The police response to the incident was swift, with officers firing shots at the vehicle before it crashed into the bus. The 37-year-old man was shot in the arm and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman sustained minor injuries. Both were arrested and taken into custody. The incident is being investigated by armed crime squad detectives with Professional Standards Command oversight, as is standard practice when a police firearm is discharged. The police are urging anyone with footage of the incident to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
Impact on the Community
The incident has had a significant impact on the local community, with many residents expressing concern and shock at the events that unfolded. Baric, who witnessed the incident, said it was the second disturbing event to occur in the area in two days, after a woman was found dead at Eastern Beach on Wednesday. A 53-year-old homeless man was later arrested and charged with murder. The incident has left many in the community feeling worried and on edge, with Baric saying that his daughter is "always looking at what’s going on, and then this happened today… it’s very worrying".
Support for Students and Staff
The Education Department has confirmed that no students or staff were injured in the incident, but precautionary student safety procedures were implemented given the proximity of the incident to Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College and the bus interchange. The department has also announced that support will be available to anyone who needs it, with a spokeswoman saying that "the wellbeing of students and staff is always our highest priority". The incident has highlighted the importance of student safety and the need for schools and authorities to be prepared for emergency situations.
Conclusion
The incident in Geelong’s inner west has left the community shaken, with many residents expressing concern and shock at the events that unfolded. The police response to the incident was swift, and the investigation is ongoing. The incident has highlighted the importance of student safety and the need for schools and authorities to be prepared for emergency situations. As the community comes to terms with what happened, it is clear that the incident will have a lasting impact on the city and its residents.
