Driver who hit six schoolchildren 'touched wrong pedal'
A father on the pick-up run who hit six children in the car park of a Queensland school on Wednesday is believed to have "touched the wrong pedal" while reversing.
In addition to hitting six schoolchildren, seriously injuring three, the 42-year-old hit two other cars and a wall when he "accidentally accelerated", according to police.
Emergency services were called to the Australian Christian College on Cottrill Road in Caboolture about 3.10pm, just as school had finished for the day.
"It was panic stations upon arrival, there was a lot of distressed students, a lot of distressed parents, no one knew what was going on, it was basically chaos," police officer Greg Price told Nine News.
Two boys, aged 10 and 12, and a 15-year-old girl were rushed to the Queensland Children's Hospital in serious but stable conditions with leg injuries.
A seven-year-old girl with an ankle injury was also taken to QCH.
Another 15-year-old girl suffered a knee injury and was taken Redcliffe Hospital, while a third 15-year-old girl suffered cuts to her arm and was taken to Caboolture Hospital. Both were stable.
The man behind the wheel was taken to Caboolture Hospital in a stable condition as a precaution.
A 44-year-old woman passenger was also in the vehicle but her injuries did not require hospitalisation.
Principal Gary Underwood said on Wednesday night the school would open on Thursday, with counsellors and ministers to offer support to students.
"Thank you to the wonderful assistance provided by parents and staff, including a parent who is an off-duty nurse and was a first responder," Mr Underwood said.
Among the first responders were specialist critical care and high acuity response paramedics.
The Forensic Crash Unit was investigating.