Tradies labelled heroes after saving children from bus crash that claimed driver's life

Two tradies have been hailed as heroes after they helped students from a bus crash, which claimed the life of the driver, in Melbourne's north yesterday.

The bus was travelling on Wandong Road in Kilmore when it veered off the road and hit a tree about 3.30pm.

The driver, Gary MacDonald, died at the scene, while the 30 students from Assumption College and St Patrick's Primary School were left shaken.

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One child was taken to hospital with minor upper body injuries and has since been discharged.

Moreland Glass tradesman Adam Smith was one of the first people on scene.

He used his ladder to free each student from the wreckage.

"My initial thought was to make sure everyone on the bus was safe," Adam said.

"I got up a ladder and got inside the bus and I asked if anyone needed any attention right away. There was a young kid who had some cuts on his face, I grabbed him and got him down the ladder and outside.

"Pretty much one-by-one I helped everyone down the ladder until everyone was safe."

Another tradesman Colby Bartels also assisted in the rescue.

"We climbed through the driver's window and then we used the glass hammers on the ceiling to break out the windows from the inside," he said.

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Much-loved member of grandfather

Flowers have been laid at the scene today for 65-year-old Gary MacDonald, who had been driving with Seymour Passengers Service for five years.

"It has been a tough 24 hours for the team at Seymour Passengers Service and entire Sita Holdings family," Andrew Chan from Seymour Passengers Service said.

"The incident resulted in the passing of our friend and colleague Gary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our much-loved bus driver who has been with us for the last 5 years.

"As this incident is the subject of a police enquiry it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

A close family friend Kiera King said the 65-year-old had a heart of gold.

"He was a hero till the end. He saved them kids, he put them first."

Assumption College principal Paul Finneran told 9News today the driver was a much-loved member of the community.

"The (students) knew the bus driver and it's quite sad for them. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," he said.

"He has been driving the students for a while."

It's understood MacDonald suffered a medical episode behind the wheel.

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Students from Grade 1 to Year 12 witnessed the crash.

"They were shaken, but it was a traumatic event for them," Finneran said.

"Apart from some bumps and scratches, they seem okay.

"We have counselling services set up today in a special area of the school where they can go.

"There's also trauma for students who normally take that bus that we need to take into account."

It's understood the school bus did not have seat belts.