In a chilling turn of events, the sound of panic echoed through the air as shots rang out and chaos ensued when a stolen vehicle collided with a school bus in Geelong’s inner west. On Thursday afternoon, students were left screaming in terror as a man and a woman attempted to evade police by crashing their stolen Kia Optima into the side of a bus transporting students from Sacred Heart College and St Joseph’s College.
As the dramatic scene unfolded, witnesses described how the car, with its door swinging open, backed up rapidly just moments before students on the bus began to panic. An officer positioned nearby took immediate action, firing two shots while instructing everyone to get down, which only amplified the students' fear as they sought safety.
A high school student, armed with a camera, recorded the frenzied moments from inside the bus, capturing the sheer terror as her classmates ducked for cover. Anthony Baric, who happened to be stopped at a traffic light on a nearby street, witnessed the vehicle behave erratically, stating, "It flew over the footpath, taking out a traffic light and colliding with another car in the middle of the intersection. That car was completely wrecked after that."
Earlier, Baric had observed police officers rushing into a neighboring street with their firearms drawn, and although he heard gunfire, it wasn’t until he viewed footage captured by his daughter’s friend on the bus that he realized the severity of the situation. His daughter, though not directly involved, was understandably shaken by the events, sharing that the students on the bus were visibly terrified. "You can hear their fear – they were absolutely petrified," he remarked.
The police helicopter had initially spotted the stolen Kia shortly before the incident, around 3:40 PM, near the intersection of the Princes Highway and Roebuck Street. The car reportedly drove towards the police officers who had responded to the scene, prompting them to open fire before the vehicle collided with another car.
Both suspects, a 37-year-old man and a woman, were apprehended after allegedly attempting to flee from the scene. Reports indicate that the man sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm and was taken to the hospital under police supervision, alongside the woman who suffered minor injuries. Additionally, the driver of the car struck by the Kia was also hospitalized with minor injuries.
In response to the incident, police stated that detectives from the armed crime squad would investigate the circumstances surrounding the police firearm discharge, following standard procedures. An Education Department representative confirmed that despite the alarming nature of the event, no students or staff members were injured. However, precautionary safety protocols were enacted due to the proximity of the incident to Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College and the bus interchange. "The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our utmost priority, and support will be available for anyone who feels they need it tomorrow," the spokesperson assured.
This disturbing occurrence marks the second unsettling incident for Baric and his daughter within just two days, following the discovery of a deceased woman at Eastern Beach the previous Wednesday. A 53-year-old homeless man has since been arrested and charged with murder in connection with that case, which adds to the community's unease. Baric reflected on the recent turmoil, recalling, "I saw the woman’s body being taken away just the day before. It’s incredibly worrying for us."
Authorities are appealing to anyone who might have recorded the police chase to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous online report. The stolen Kia was reportedly taken from New South Wales.
