Elderly driver released after boy killed while walking to school

An 84-year-old woman has been released from police custody after a six-year-old boy was hit and killed while walking to school in regional Victoria this morning.

Police believe Caleb Wesley was walking across the road to a school bus stop on Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale just after 8am when he was struck by an early model Nissan Pulsar.

The tragic incident was witnessed by Caleb’s nine- and 12-year-old siblings, who were due to take the bus to school in Geelong with their brother, police said.

CPR was performed at the scene by several witnesses including a nurse and paramedics, but he died from his injuries.

The driver of the Pulsar, an 84-year-old local woman, allegedly fled the scene after stopping briefly.

“The offending driver, at this point in time, was aware of the collision, has stopped got out of the vehicle and we believe has then got back in the vehicle and left the scene,” Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy alleged.

“I don’t believe that any assistance has been offered, but again that’s all part of the inquiry.”

She was later located at an address in Teesdale and was taken into custody to assist police in determining the exact circumstances of the crash.

She has since been released pending further enquiries.

Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are at the scene.

McEvoy said Caleb’s family was grieving.

“The family is shattered, obviously as you can understand,” he said.

“Any parent who receives that news, it’s absolutely shocking, let alone it being witnessed by his siblings.

“There’s support around them, it’s a local community, they’ve been fantastic in supporting the family at this time.”

McEvoy said police would investigate whether other factors including speed, drugs, alcohol or fatigue were involved.

Covenant College principal Joshua McEwen said the school community was “devastated” by the news.

“This has come as a huge shock to our close school community at Covenant College,” McEwen said.

“Our sympathies and prayers are with the family and we are offering support to them, as well as to students, staff and those affected by this loss.

“At this time our priority is the wellbeing of our school community, and we are praying that God’s peace and comfort will prevail for all at this time.”

Teesdale is a town located in the Golden Plains Shire, 34 kilometres west of Geelong.