Driver critical after school bus carrying 40 students crashes into tree in Western Sydney's Erskine Park

A school bus driver remains in critical condition after a major crash involving dozens of students in Sydney’s western suburbs. The accident happened on Erskine Park Road in Erskine Park shortly after 1 PM on Thursday, triggering a large-scale emergency response involving police, paramedics, and Fire and Rescue crews. According to authorities, the bus was transporting approximately 40 teenage students when it suddenly veered off the road. The vehicle first struck a roadside pole before crashing into a tree. The impact caused significant damage and left the driver trapped inside the wreckage for a short period before being freed by emergency responders.

A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance confirmed, as reported by ABC News, that the driver, who is believed to be in his 50s, was treated at the scene and later transported to Westmead Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine what caused the crash, with inquiries focusing on possible mechanical faults, road conditions, or whether the driver suffered a medical emergency before the incident. However, the exact cause has not yet been established.

Emergency services worked quickly to evacuate all students from the bus. Fire and Rescue NSW said that paramedics assessed everyone on board at the scene. Eight students were taken to different hospitals for further treatment of minor injuries. Among them, one student was reported to have suspected fractures, reported ABC News.


According to the outlet, NSW Police stated that the students involved were aged between 16 and 18 years. While most sustained only minor injuries, the remaining students and a teacher who was also on board were described as shaken but physically unharmed.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, and the Department of Education continuing their response efforts at the scene.