The bus was transporting children to schools in Mudgee when the truck’s trailer crashed into the right hand side of the bus, just behind the driver’s seat.

The gravel truck, believed to be a contractor for Mid Western Regional Council, was travelling on a windy downhill section of road on the eastern side of Munghorn Gap and the accident happened on the final corner before the Moolarben picnic area.

The force of impact cut through the forward section of the passenger vehicle slicing it open like it was a can of sardines.

The area where the accident occurred has advisory road signs recommending speed of no more than 25kph where the accident occurred, however the official speed limit in that area is 100kph..

A police statement said that police were still at the scene trying to establish the cause of the accident some five hours after the accident.

“At about 8am police and emergency services were called to Wollar Road at Cooyal, about 35km north east of Mudgee, after reports that a school bus and a heavy tipper truck travelling in opposite directions had collided,” a police spokesperson said.

“The bus contained 15 children aged between six and 16-years-old and six adults.

“Two children were taken to Mudgee Hospital with minor injuries via ambulance and another ten were brought to hospital via private vehicles for examination.

“All have since been released.

“The male driver of the truck, believed to be aged in his 40s, has been taken to hospital for mandatory tests.”

Three ambulances, six fire tenders from four brigades and the Voluntary Rescue vehicle all rushed to

the scene.