A DRIVER who hit an eight-year-old boy at 80km/h in Benalla probably saved his life by braking and swerving, according to police.
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The Benalla P-12 College student was dropped off a school bus outside his home on the Benalla-Tatong Road about 4pm on Thursday.
He walked out from the rear of the vehicle and was struck by an oncoming car driven by a 31-year-old Benalla man.
Passersby had likely saved his life by performing CPR, Leading Senior Constable Terry Smith said.
“It was very distressing for the students on the bus,” he said.
“They didn’t see the incident but they all knew what had happened.
“The child’s parents came out of the house when it happened.
“It was very, very traumatic for everyone there.”
Both drivers have been cleared of wrongdoing.
Leading Senior Constable Smith said the driver had already slowed before approaching the bus, and swerved left before hitting the student.
“Those actions have averted a certain tragedy,” he said.
“The impact was more of a side-swipe.
“The investigation will focus on how we make this practice safer for children.”
Leading Senior Constable Smith said alcohol and drugs had not been involved.
The child is in a serious but stable condition after being airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne with life threatening injuries.
“Schools have protocols in place to deal with traumatic events,” he said.
“We also do our own road trauma referrals for kids and their families if they need counselling.
“They can take that up.”
The child, who had been with three siblings, had been warned by the bus driver not to cross the road before the crash.