‘Hell of a bang’ draws first responders to chaotic bus And train collision
Crashing metal and a droning horn were the first sounds of calamity in a small rural community – a collision between a school bus and a train that has left a bus driver dead and several passengers injured.
It was heard by Kevin McCord several hundred metres away at his home near Bunnythorpe, about 12 kilometres from Palmerston North.
‘‘There was an extended toot. I thought it was loud. Then there was a hell of a bang and I thought, ‘That’s metal on metal’,’’ he said.
McCord and several neighbours rushed to the crossing to help the passengers and the driver, who had been thrown from the bus. McCord stayed by her side until she died.
His neighbours took blankets for the students, who waited on the roadside to be assessed by St John staff.
‘‘It’s a terrible crossing,’’ McCord said. ‘‘That road is horrendous.’’
The crash happened at the intersection of Railway Rd and Clevely Line, just after 8am yesterday.
Police Senior Sergeant Phil Ward said the bus was heading to
Feilding High School and tried to cross the train tracks before the train had completely cleared the road.
It collided with the back of the train, despite lights and bells on the railway crossing. Ward said sun strike could have been a factor.
A triage system was set up for the schoolchildren and others on board the bus, and teachers and counsellors from the high school attended to help.
Seven people were taken to Palmerston North Hospital with minor cuts and abrasions. Five have since been discharged. Two patients remained in wards under observation, both in stable conditions, a hospital spokesperson said.
Police are asking witnesses to come forward as officers work to determine what happened.
Feilding High School principal Nathan Stewart said there were about 25 students from the school on the bus.
He said five students had been taken to hospital The remaining students had been picked up by their parents.
St John Manawatu¯ territory manager Jeff Mabbett said the injured people were taken to the Palmerston North Hospital emergency department.
‘‘Buses versus any vehicle usually causes catastrophic injuries, so to only have six patients transported to hospital is good.’’
He said there was extreme damage to the front of the bus, but luckily, most of the children were able to get out by themselves and safely.
‘‘We know it’s predominantly high school students, and the biggest thing we experience is parents rushing to the scene to check if it’s their children.’’
KiwiRail group chief executive Greg Miller said he was shocked and saddened to learn of the crash.
‘‘We are supporting our train driver, who is shaken but physically unharmed.’’