Rotorua Bus Crash: One Dead, Two Critically Injured
A fatal collision between a bus and a car occurred on Te Ngae Rd in Rotorua around 9:15 pm, resulting in one death and two critical injuries. The car passenger was killed, while its driver and another passenger were seriously injured.
Incident Details
The bus was transporting children from Gisborne’s Kaiti School after participating in the Te Mana Kuratahi national primary schools kapa haka event held in Tauranga. Three students who were hospitalized following the crash have since been discharged.
Additionally, 26 patients with minor injuries were assessed at the scene and did not require hospital transport, according to a spokesperson from St John.
Eyewitness Account from Restaurant Staff
Ritik Aeehi, an employee at Burger King Te Ngae, shared his experience. Although he did not hear the crash, he noticed the bus and several children arriving at the restaurant shortly afterward.
“The children told me there had been a collision involving their bus and another vehicle.”
Aeehi observed emergency services blocking Te Ngae Rd approximately 400-500 meters from the restaurant. Despite appearing shaken, the children remained mostly calm while waiting inside the establishment.
Summary
The crash deeply affected the children, but emergency responders and local staff managed the situation promptly, ensuring those injured received necessary care.
Author’s note: The crash highlights the dangers of road incidents involving school groups and the importance of swift emergency response to minimize casualties.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?