A SCHOOL policy requiring senior students to do a senior first-aid course is being credited with helping some of the students cope in the aftermath of last week’s school bus crash near Port Macquarie.
Newman Senior Technical College principal Stephen Pares said every student who attended Newman was required to complete a senior first-aid course within the first weeks of commencement.
“The training was invaluable, with many putting their newly acquired skills into action after the bus crash,” Mr Pares said.
More than 30 students from Newman, Westport Public, Westport High and other schools were on the bus when it left the road at speed at Fernbank on Hastings River Drive last Tuesday afternoon, hitting a tree and landing in a ditch.
Fortunately, two Newman College staff members were travelling a few cars behind the bus and were on the scene immediately, followed by six more staff members who were able to provide support and comfort to the students.
Nine people including the driver were transported to hospital by ambulance, and a further 25 children were taken via bus to hospital for precautionary assessment. The next day all but one student had been released, with that student released the following day.
Mr Pares said it was incredible that a serious incident of this nature resulted in relatively minor injuries to all of the students, and he praised the bravery and initiative shown by the students and staff.
“Trapped in the bus, Newman College students attempted to smash open the back window as the passenger doors were blocked, but a tree prevented them,” he said.
“The quick-thinking response of Newman passengers Trent Maybury, William Gardiner and Joshua Burtenshaw saw them guide the younger students off the bus via a broken window towards the front of the vehicle and certainly helped to minimise the potential risks to others.”
“I am so incredibly proud of our students and their brave reaction to this accident.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the staff, emergency services and members of the public who helped in the aftermath.
“The Newman College community is very grateful for the work of the emergency services staff, police and community members who stopped and helped on the day,” he said.
