Driver adored her bus kids
The bus driver who died in a collision with a train cared deeply about the students she drove to school every day.
She had been part of the Uzabus team for four years and was familiar with both the route and the children on board, company director Justin Allan said.
The bus she was driving struck the side of amoving train at an intersection near Bunnythorpe, 12 kilometres from Palmerston North, on Wednesday morning.
The impact threw the driver from the vehicle. She died before paramedics arrived, while 40 passengers, many of them Feilding High School students, had to be helped out of windows.
Seven passengers were taken to Palmerston North Hospital with minor injuries. One remained in hospital overnight for observation and was discharged yesterday.
Allan attended a blessing at the crash site on Wednesday evening and took comfort in the words of the bus driver’s husband.
It was an ‘‘absolute blessing’’ the children were safe because their protection had always been paramount to her.
Uzabus would carry out an investigation that looked at every aspect of the crash – the driver, the route, the vehicle and training protocols.
Allan said the best outcome would be minimising risk and ensuring it did not happen again.
He had been in contact with Feilding High School and students were understandably shaken. ‘‘It might take a little time for them to gain that confidence back.’’
Feilding High School principal Nathan Stewart said some students had returned to school yesterday, while others were still at home.
Stewart said the school would host ameeting today for parents of the students on the bus to provide information and offer support.
The ministries of health and education had also offered their support and guidance.
The school was alerted to the crash on Wednesday morning by amember of the public. Stewart, senior staff and guidance counsellors left straight away to support children at the crash site.
He was relieved none of the children was seriously hurt.