Milla was due to win a basketball award this weekend. She never made it home from school

The parents of the schoolgirl killed in Wednesday’s horror bus crash outside Geelong have told of the anguished hours after the accident as they waited for news of their daughter and her schoolmates.

Erin and Marty Killeen said their daughter Milla was a beautiful, protective soul with the “patience of a saint” and that their family was struggling to come to terms with the loss of the 12-year-old.

The Killeens said it had been several hours between when they learnt of the accident on Wednesday morning and receiving the news that their daughter had lost her life in the crash.

“We were made aware of the crash quite quickly, but it wasn’t for several hours that our worst fears were realised – Milla was the one that was sadly taken,” the Killeens said.

“She was a beautiful soul with the whole world in front of her.”

Milla, from the small town of Teesdale, about 33 kilometres north-west of Geelong, was a popular member of the Try Boys Basketball Club, club secretary Lynne Green said, and was set to receive her club’s most consistent player award at the end-of-season presentation on Saturday.

Mother Erin was the coach of Milla’s team in the under-14 Championship Division at Geelong United. Her younger brother, Harvey, was a member of the club’s under-10 boys’ team.

In a statement, the club said Milla was a cherished part of its girls’ program, describing her as “a beautiful soul who brought joy wherever she went”.

Green said Milla had represented the club basketball talent programs, was one of eight players selected for an under-12 country basketball jamboree in July and was also selected for the Junior Country Cup and Future Development Program.

“Her absence will be profoundly felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” the club’s statement read. “With her easygoing nature and infectious smile, Milla had a special way of lighting up every room she walked into. She quickly endeared herself to teammates, coaches, and the wider community.”

Milla died, and 24 of her schoolmates were hospitalised when the bus they were travelling in turned a corner, rolled and caught fire at the corner of Hamilton Highway and Friend in Hand Road at Stonehaven about 8.20am on Wednesday. She died at the scene.

Education Minister Ben Carroll said the children suffered a range of injuries including broken bones, with one child sustaining a skull fracture, and there were others being treated for more minor injuries.

The 76-year-old driver was also taken to hospital after the crash but was discharged after several hours and was assisting police with their inquiries.

Christian College Geelong executive principal Mathilda Joubert published a statement on Thursday morning paying tribute to the year 7 student.

“Milla will be remembered for her beautiful personal qualities, her vibrancy and infectious personality. Her kindness, warmth and joy impacted all who shared her company,” Joubert said.

“Milla was a keen and talented basketballer, and an integral part of the Christian College representative team at the recent state championships.

“She was a treasured member of our college community, and her loss is deeply felt by all staff, students and our Christian College families. This is a time of unimaginable loss.”

The principal of Milla’s primary school in Teesdale described the grief of losing the former student.

“Milla was a much-loved friend, student and leader in her time at Teesdale Primary and I know you will share in our despair at her loss,” principal Sam Irwin wrote to the school community on Wednesday. “Our thoughts are with Milla’s parents, Erin and Marty, and Milla’s younger brother, Harvey, at such a difficult time.”

A collection of floral tributes was placed at the gates of the college’s middle school campus in Highton to honour Milla.

Flags were at half-mast at the college, and parents hugged their children before they walked into the school building, as U2’s Beautiful Day played in lieu of the usual class bell.

After a quick downpour, a rainbow appeared behind the school.

At the crash site on Thursday, road crews were working to fix the barriers and a lone bouquet of flowers lay at the side of the highway.

Nearby canola fields were buffeted by the strong winds, while cars along the road slowed to 40km/h as the crews worked.

In an update on Thursday morning, Victoria Police said detectives from the major collision investigation unit were still investigating the crash.

Police believe the bus was turning left onto the Hamilton Highway from Friend in Hand Road when it crashed.

There were 28 school students on board the bus at the time, ranging from primary to secondary school age, police said.

A 16-year-old boy from Inverleigh was flown to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and nine students were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.

Another 14 students were taken to hospital for observation.

“The bus driver has been interviewed and released pending further enquiries,” police said.

A spokesperson from the Royal Children’s Hospital said two children admitted yesterday remained in a stable condition.

Seven children were in hospital in Geelong on Wednesday night in a stable condition but were all were discharged on Thursday, a Barwon Health spokesman said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has CCTV/dashcam footage or any information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.