A woman has died and 16 people are seriously injured after a bus rolled near Avoca this afternoon.
Emergency crews including three ambulance helicopters were called in to the scene along the Sunraysia Highway about 500 metres north of Stawell Avoca Road just after 3pm.
Police said the driver lost control before rolling down an embankment, snapping nearby tree branches and flipping the vehicle on its side.
Speaking to reporters at the crash scene, Inspector Nick Finnegan described the incident as “chaotic”.
About 30 people were travelling on the bus, which was heading back to Ballarat from Mildura, where a group of bowls players had been competing in a tournament.
A relative of a passenger told The Courier their family member immediately called after the impact and said “people were hanging from their seats with their seat belts”.
Ballarat District Bowls Division chairman Sandra Chapman said the bowlers had been competing in the Dot Jenkinson Ladies Pairs competition at clubs around Mildura.
The competitors were from various clubs across the Ballarat District Bowls Division.
“We're devastated by the news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the bowling community,” Ms Chapman told The Courier.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said two passengers have been flown to The Alfred in Melbourne in a critical condition, while another passenger has been flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a serious condition with chest injuries.
A further 13 passengers have been taken to the Ballarat Base Hospital by road ambulance, two in a critical condition.
One other passenger was taken to hospital in Bendigo in a serious condition.
Another 11 people have been taken to the Avoca Senior Citizens Centre for monitoring. They are all in a stable condition.
Inspector Finnegan described the vehicle as a 52-seat coach and said the driver was among those conveyed to the Ballarat Base.
“It was quite confronting when police arrived … you see a bus that has the capacity to fit 52 people and straight away you think the worst,” Inspector Finnegan said.
“I’d just reinforce to everyone, take care on our roads.
“Our crash investigators from Melbourne … will methodically go through the scene, I would imagine the highway will be closed for the duration of the day and well into the night.”
A portion of the Sunraysia Highway was closed off to traffic.
Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the incident.
No other vehicles were involved.
Anyone with information, who witnessed the collision or has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au