Bacchus Marsh school bus crash: most students wearing seatbelts, bus association says

Most of the 27 students onboard a bus that was hit by a truck west of Melbourne were wearing seatbelts, authorities have confirmed, saying the safety measure may have saved their lives.

Although the exact number of those onboard wearing seatbelts is unknown, the Bus Association of Victoria (BAV) has confirmed most passengers had them on.

A woman in her 40s and a man in his 50s were taken to the Royal Melbourne in serious but stable condition.

Eighteen others were taken to various hospitals in stable condition.

Lowe said the bus company had been operating in the Ballarat area since 1936 and had a strong safety record.

Police will investigate whether drugs, alcohol or speed were factors in the crash.

Speaking to media earlier on Wednesday, the chief executive of Ballarat Health Services, Dale Fraser, said a code brown had to be enacted earlier at the hospital due to the number of patients arriving from the crash.

He said it was dropped by 2.30pm, and half an hour later, 13 patients had been discharged. Another three were admitted to the hospital and in a stable condition.

Acting Supt Jason Templar said a number of the injuries actually occurred after the impact, when people were being released from the seats, because the bus was upside down.

Loreto college Ballarat said in a statement it was grateful for the work of emergency crews who responded to the crash.

The school will remain open on Thursday despite the public holiday to allow students and families to come together and receive counselling, the principal, Michelle Brodrick, said.