A single-vehicle crash west of Melbourne has killed one school-aged child and left six other children injured, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The incident, which occurred at an intersection in Parwan, near Bacchus Marsh, highlights the severity of regional road accidents and has triggered a police investigation into how the crash occurred.

Victoria Police confirmed the crash happened near the Nerowie Rd and Parwan-Exford Rd intersection, around 60km from central Melbourne, shortly before 4pm on Tuesday. Of the seven children involved, one died and six were injured, including one in a critical condition. Ambulance Victoria deployed extensive resources, including two Air Ambulance helicopter crews, two Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance teams and five Advanced Life Support paramedic crews. Four children were taken to the Royal Children's Hospital (one by air), two children went to Western Hospital Sunshine by road, and one adult was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.