Truck driver charged over horror school bus crash in Victoria

A truck driver has been charged over a horror crash with a school bus where 33 people were injured, including 27 school girls.

The bus was taking 27 Loreto College Ballarat students, in years 9 to 11, and four staff members to Melbourne Airport for an overseas trip when the crash occurred on the Western Highway at Bacchus Marsh about 3.15am on September 22.

The bus smashed through a roadside barrier and rolled down an embankment after it collided with a B-double truck.

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One teenage girl was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

The male truck driver was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The 27 students, four adults and bus driver were also taken to hospital for observation.

The 60-year-old male truck driver has since been charged with 46 offences including reckless conduct causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life.

He will face court this afternoon.

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Acting Superintendent Jason Templar said at the time it was lucky all the students had been wearing seatbelts as it likely prevented the crash from becoming fatal.

"A number of the injuries actually occurred from their release from the seats, because the bus was upside down," he said.

"We're incredibly grateful that no one was killed.

"Looking at the scene, how anyone wasn't more injured is incredible."