A Melbourne bus driver has been dismissed after a 12-year-old boy was trapped in a bus door and dragged hundreds of metres along a suburban road in the city’s south-east.

The incident occurred about 8 am on March 16 in Wheelers Hill, as the Year 7 student travelled to school.

7News footage shows the boy caught in the automatic doors before being carried alongside the moving bus.

He was dragged for about 350 metres along Brandon Park Drive before the driver stopped.

A spokesperson for Ventura Bus Lines confirmed that the driver no longer works for the company following an internal investigation.

“This is a very distressing incident, and we will continue to support the passenger and family at this time,” the spokesperson said.

“The safety of our passengers is our priority… Following a full investigation into this incident and internal disciplinary procedures, the driver’s employment has been terminated.”

The boy escaped serious physical injury, but his mother, Grace Pan, said he remains traumatised.

“When he sees a bus pass by… he said my hands just shake uncontrollably,” she said.

She described his survival as “nothing short of a miracle”.

Victorian Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the incident fell short of safety expectations, while Premier Jacinta Allan described the footage as “shocking”.

“My thoughts are with that young boy and his family,” Allan said, adding support services would be offered.

Victoria Police said the incident was not initially reported and inquiries are ongoing.

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