Tour bus crashes at Tongariro
A bus full of tourists appears to have failed to make a turn at an intersection and crashed through a fence before plunging six metres down a bank and landing in a creek in Tongariro Forest Park.
Police said there were 14 tourists, aged in the 60s, and a driver on the 20-seater MoaTrek Small Group Tours bus when it crashed at 8.16am on Sunday at the corner of State Highways 47 and 48.
All 15 people on board, mainly visitors from the UK and US, were injured and one woman was trapped inside for a time.
The trapped tourist was removed from the partially submerged 20-seat bus about 10am. A police spokeswoman was unsure of the trapped woman’s condition.
The passengers and driver were taken to various hospitals around the central North Island.
Four people had serious injuries and the other 11 had minor to moderate injuries.
The driver’s side of the bus was submerged. A heavy hauler arrived just before midday on Sunday to haul it out.
MoaTrek is a tourist operation based on Beach Rd, Auckland.
The company says its focus is on supporting and assisting its passengers and affected staff.
Director Miles Clark says he and his team are on their way to where passengers from the accident have been taken to provide whatever support the company can offer.
He said the company was grateful for the efforts by first responders and emergency services in what appeared to be difficult conditions.
‘‘We are very sorry that this has occurred on one of our tours and we are working hard to ensure we do whatever we can to support our team member and our passengers,’’ Clarke said.
‘‘The immediate priority is the health and welfare of those injured and needing the most attention.’’
‘‘Beyond that we will work with our industry colleagues to support, accommodate and revise travel arrangements as necessary for all those affected.’’
The company will cooperate fully with the investigation into the accident, he said.