A female has died and multiple people have been injured, five of them critically, after a bus rolled near Avoca, about 180 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on Saturday.
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Thirty people were on the bus that rolled on the Sunraysia Highway about 10 kilometres north of Avoca, 500 metres north of Stawell Avoca Road, at 3.10pm.
Victoria Police spokesman Senior Constable Adam West said the driver lost control of the bus while travelling south near Moonambel.
"The driver lost control of the vehicle, which left the highway and rolled down an embankment," Senior Constable West said.
"One of the passengers, believed to be a woman, died at the scene.
"At least 18 people have required medical treatment and it is believed the bus was carrying 30 adult passengers at the time."
Three air ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
The bus was returning to Ballarat from Mildura, where a group of bowls players had been in a tournament.
A relative of one of the passengers said their family member told them "people were hanging from their seats with their seat belts".
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said five people were critically injured, two of whom were flown to Melbourne and the others taken to Ballarat Base Hospital.
Another person was flown to Melbourne in a serious condition.
Mr Mullen said 12 other people with serious injuries were taken to hospital in Ballarat or Bendigo.
He said the driver, 68, suffered facial injuries.
Bus Association Victoria executive director Chris Lowe said it was not known why the Ballarat Coachlines' vehicle left the road.
"I don't know what caused the driver to swerve, to go off the road, but he went off the road and rolled the coach and apparently hit a tree," he said.
"He was injured himself.
"He managed to get out of the coach by smashing the emergency exit and getting out the windscreen.
"He managed to get several other passengers off the coach as well."
Pyrenees Shire Council mayor Ron Eason said a relief centre had been established at the Avoca Senior Citizens' Club.
Ballarat District Bowls Division secretary John Holt confirmed the passengers, from various clubs, had been competing in the Dot Jenkinson Ladies Pairs competition at clubs around Mildura.
"I'm just very sorry to hear of the loss of a person and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the person lost and also the injured people.
"I just wish all the people hopefully a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with them."
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Sunraysia Highway will remain closed while detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit examine the scene.
Anyone with dash-cam footage or information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
