A verge collection worker has been freed by emergency services after a garbage truck crashed into Clifton Hills Primary School on Thursday morning.
Police said a 56-year-old woman was in the cab of the truck when it careened down Princeton Street, across Connell Avenue and into the Year 1 classroom of the school.
No children were in the room at the time, but were in an adjoining room and were traumatised by the accident.
Inspector David Dench said the truck had rolled down and into the school after the handbrake had been deactivated.
“The truck was parked further up the road,” he said.
“The 56-year-old female involved in verge collection has climbed into the truck and somehow the handbrake has been deactivated.
“It took time for DFES staff to then cut her out.”
Mr Dench said it was extremely lucky no students or staff were injured, and that education staff were counselling the children.
“Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, and the female has been taken to Royal Perth Hospital,” he said.
Education Department assistant regional director Gary Anderson said they were relieved no-one was in the destroyed room at vthe time.
“The staff acted very quickly to evacuate the students from that classroom,” he said.
“It is a large block with six classrooms, and students were evacuated form all six classrooms.
“A full investigation and review is being undertaken [by the Department of Education] as we speak.”
