Education Minister Yvette Berry expressed her condolences and support for the affected families and the school community.

In response to the incident, St Edmund’s College principal Tim Cleary informed parents that additional counseling services were being provided for affected students.

The incident began early on March 28, 2025, when a 31-year-old man stole a green Holden Commodore station wagon from a childcare center in Sutton, New South Wales, with an eight-year-old girl inside.

The girl was released unharmed about 100 meters from where she was taken, while the vehicle was later spotted entering the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Between 7:40 AM and 9:10 AM, the driver crashed into two students from St Edmund’s College in Canberra, aged 14 and 15, resulting in serious injuries; one of the boys required surgery.

Following the collision, the driver attempted to flee but was detained by bystanders until police arrived, leading to his arrest.

The man from Warrenheip, Victoria, has since been charged with multiple offenses, including unlicensed driving and dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.

He was found to be on interstate parole and faces a total of nine charges, with a court appearance scheduled for March 29, 2025.

ACT Policing has urged witnesses to seek support and called for anyone with footage or information regarding the incident to come forward.