Cordon at intersection of Eltham and Hastings Roads. Photo: RNZ/Robin Martin
Many of the 11 children injured in a crash between a van and a car in South Taranaki have been able to leave hospital.
The children and one teacher from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Ruahinerangi were on their way to a sports practice in New Plymouth yesterday morning when their van collided with a car on Hastings Road in Matapu.
Renee Wright, chairman of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Ruahinerangi, says five tamariki taken to Te Hāwera Hospital with minor injuries were discharged yesterday, along with two transferred to Taranaki Base Hospital in Ngāmotu.
Of the two flown to Whanganui Hospital with moderate injuries, one tamaiti should be released today while the other has been transferred to Wellington Hospital.
Two were transferred to Waikato Hospital on Wednesday in a serious condition; one is likely to be discharged today while the other will stay at the hōhipera to continue to have their injuries treated.
Wright said police were working with the school and checking over documentation as they continued their investigation.
"Be reassured that tamariki and whānau remain the top priority.
"All tumuaki (principals) and whānau from every Kura Kaupapa Māori in Whanganui and Taranaki have visited with whānau in the different hospitals. The kura are providing support for whānau and for the tamariki remaining in hōhipera."
Many of the school's whānau gathered for karakia and hui last night.
Wright said the school would provide further updates in due course, including what the next steps would be following the accident.
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