Person killed, two critical as 31 hurt after school bus and car crash in Rotorua

A person has died, and two are critically injured as 31 people were hurt in a crash between a bus and a car in a Rotorua suburb.

The person who died was a passenger in the car, while its driver and a second person were critically injured.

Fire and Emergency said the people were trapped in the car, and they had to use rescue gear to get them out of the vehicle.

One of the critically injured people was flown to Waikato Hospital, while the other was taken to Rotorua hospital by ambulance.

The bus involved in Thursday night's crash was carrying tamariki from a Gisborne school.

Kaiti School in Gisborne says its students were on the bus, and three were taken to hospital, but have been discharged.

They were staying in Rotorua while competing at Te Mana Kuratahi, a kapa haka competition in Tauranga.

"Following yesterday's absolutely impressive stand at Te Mana Kuratahi, Puhi Kaiti Kapa were involved in a bus vs car collision in Rotorua on their way to their accomodation from dinner last night," tumuaki Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton wrote on Facebook.

"Three students were admitted to hospital and have now been discharged. All students and kaiako are safe. Our hearts and aroha are with our team and their whanau."

Shaken but okay

Kaiti School spokesperson Matai Smith, who is a broadcaster at local radio station Turanga FM, said the tamariki were shaken, but okay.

His niece was on the bus, and part of the kapa haka rōpū that had performed earlier that day.

"After their performance ... gave her a big hug and told her I was so proud of her, and that she really, really did the whānau and the region proud," he said.

"And then to wake up to news that my niece and her friends were involved in this horrific crash, it was just ... startling, I was full of angst this morning until I spoke to the mum and dad this morning who said no, she's well, and the kids are well."

That was a huge relief, he said - but the kids were shaken and many would need counselling.

They were due to arrive back at the school after 2pm on Friday.

"As you can imagine there are lots of staff, kaiako, tauira, friends, and also whānau that are eagerly anticipating their arrival," he said.

The haukāinga at the Rotorua marae they were staying at overnight conducted a karakia for them on Friday morning before they left, and another would be held upon their return to the school, Smith said.

He said the group had represented Te Tai Rāwhiti at the competition with "such passion and vigour, and pride".

St John says it sent five ambulances and two helicopters to the scene on Te Ngae Road in semi-rural Ōwhata about 9.15pm on Thursday.

The bus was carrying passengers who suffered minor injuries, police said.

Declan Lescheid who lives on the outskirts of Rotorua said he was driving directly behind the bus, heading north when a car coming the other way appeared to drift across the median strip "head long into the bus".

Both vehicles spun to the other side of the road, he said.

Lescheid slammed on his brakes, pulled over and called emergency services while others nearby rushed towards the car to try and help the victims.

"The car was completely totalled, you could hear... crying and cries for help from the vehicle," he said.

"The front was entirely caved in"

Lescheid said he was feeling okay after what he had witnessed.

"To think if I hadn't been paying attention I would have been in the back of the bus, is a bit wild."

A person living near the scene told RNZ he'd never heard anything like it.

He described the crash as "nasty".

The car and bus had been removed from the scene by Friday morning.

All that remained was a smattering of broken glass and sawdust leftover from soaking up engine oil.

Go Bus confirmed one of its buses was involved.

It said the bus was damaged but the driver was safe.

"Emergency services attended the scene, and our team provided support to remaining passengers," said chief operating officer Ben Barlow.

"Arrangements were made for them to continue their journey safely."

Go Bus was cooperating with police as they investigate, he said.

"This has been a distressing event for all involved. Our team continues to support one another during this difficult time."

Rotorua Māori ward councillor Trevor Maxwell said it was a busy road with a lot of roadworks between Ōwhata and the airport.

However, the NZ Transport Agency said there were no roadworks or traffic management at the time of the crash.

"As with all serious crashes on the state highway network, we will carry out a thorough investigation including a review of the road and the roadside at the crash location," a spokesperson said.

There have been a number of fatal crashes on the Te Ngae Road since 2013.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.

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