Daughter’s death breaks hearts: Mum
Driver’s statement in line with passengers’ claims that bus wouldn’t slow, says CEO
The youngster who died from injuries suffered after a bus rolled coming down from the Tu¯roa ski field was a beautiful, much-loved daughter, her parents say.
Mother Michelle Bruton and father Matt Francis said their family was still trying to come to terms with the devastating loss of “our beautiful daughter Hannah”.
“She was the light of our lives and will be missed by all who knew her,” her mother said in a statement.
“Hannah was an empathetic, kindhearted, beautiful child who wouldn’t hurt a fly. She was loved by everyone she met and left a lasting impression.
“Her sister Charlotte and stepbrothers Josh and Caleb all loved her dearly and will be lost without her.”
Bruton said Hannah was talented, with a gift for writing and drawing.
“She loved animals, especially her cats, and she would do anything to help you,” she said. “Our hearts are broken and will never be the same. Fly free, our beautiful angel. May you rest in peace.”
The family asked that people respect their privacy “during this difficult time”.
Hannah Francis died after the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bus in which she was travelling with her father and stepbrother crashed just after 2.30pm on Saturday.
She was transported to Waikato Hospital by rescue helicopter, but died en route.
Messages of love and support have been pouring out on mother Michelle’s Facebook page.
“Rest in love beautiful girl . . . Sending lots of love to you, your family and all who knew & loved your precious baby girl xox,” one friend wrote.
“Awww babygirl . . . your mommy loves you so much . . . Rest Easy babygirl . . . fly high . . . you’re in God’s arms now . . . you’re safe,” another wrote.
The driver of the RAL bus was yesterday discharged from hospital. He was among those injured when the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Fuso
Hannah was an empathetic, kindhearted, beautiful child who wouldn’t hurt a fly. She was loved by everyone she met and left a lasting impression. Michelle Bruton, mother
carrying 31 passengers, overturned at the 9km mark on Ohakune Mountain Rd in Tongariro National Park. Some of those on board said the vehicle’s brakes failed as it gathered speed going downhill.
The company’s chief executive, Ross Copland, said: “His story is not inconsistent with the passengers’, that the bus sped up and he wasn’t able to slow the bus.”
The driver aimed to bring it to a stop at the 9km mark, where the road widened.
Copland said it was still unclear what had caused the crash. The bus has been taken to Whanganui to be examined as part of the investigation. Other Fusos in the fleet had been withdrawn from use.
He said the company was anxious to learn the outcome of the serious crash unit’s investigation.
The injured passengers were transported to Rotorua, Taupo, Waikato, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington hospitals.
A Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman confirmed two women, aged 29 and 31, and a 20-yearold man were stable in a ward.
Whanganui District Health Board said it was treating one patient, a male in his 20s, who was also in a stable condition.