Nine-year-old Lexi Marett is flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital after being struck by a car after getting off her school bus. Now her mother is fighting for change in the hope this will never happen to another child.
The mother of a nine-year-old girl struck by a car after getting off the school bus says she isn’t angry with the driver but wants to see the law changed.
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Sarah Marett’s daughter, Lexi, was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital after she was run over by a small hatchback on the Reillys Rd and Katamatite Rd intersection two weeks ago.
The five-way intersection is in an 80kmh zone and Sarah said local families had been saying for year there was going to be an accident there.
In Victoria, under the Department of Transport and Planning, vehicles must slow down to 40 km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency and roadside assistance vehicles with flashing lights or sirens.
Now Sarah wants to see the law changed to include school buses.
Lexi’s six-year-old brother, Xander was holding her hand at the time of the accident and stepped back at the last minute.
Sarah said three children had walked behind the bus and the driver had told her that, at the time, it was safe with no obstacles.
She said the children looked each way and thought it was safe, so they started walking.
Lexi copped the full impact on her head and face when a car, travelling in the same direction as the bus, struck her.
The impact threw her for a few metres and made a dint in the car’s bonnet.
Lexi copped the full impact on her head and face and has suffered psychological trauma.
Lexi is now out of hospital, but her mother says she has a long way to go.
“I’m sleeping in her room with her … I counted her yelling out for help in her sleep five times,” Sarah said.
“She refuses to ever catch a bus anymore ... there’s kids in preppie getting off this bus and there’s trucks and cars flying in five different directions.”
Ovens Valley MP, Tim McCurdy said he supports Sarah’s proposal requiring vehicles to slow to 40km/h when a school bus is picking up or dropping off students.
“As a parent, my heart goes out to Lexi and her family following this terrible accident and the injuries Lexi has suffered,” Mr McCurdy said.
“I personally support this proposal and will work to see Victoria’s laws changed to better protect our school students.
“From Opposition, changing legislation can be more difficult, but there are options, including a Private Members’ Bill.”
“With the Victorian Parliament’s final sitting for the year now complete ahead of the election, I will continue working with the Marett family to make school bus safety a higher priority and pursue meaningful change after the election.”
Senior Constable Jason Devlin from Highway Patrol has confirmed that charges are expected to be laid.
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