One Dead, Dozens Injured After School Bus and Car Crash in Rotorua
A devastating crash between a school bus and a car in Rotorua has left one person dead, two critically injured, and 31 others hurt, including children from a Gisborne primary school.
The collision occurred around 9.15pm on Thursday on Te Ngae Road in Ōwhata, a semi-rural area east of Rotorua. Emergency services described the crash as “major” and said rescuers had to cut trapped passengers from the wreckage.
The crash happened on Te Ngae Rd near the Wharenui Ave intersection. Photo: Google Maps
Fatality and Critical Injuries
Police confirmed that the person who died was a passenger in the car, while the driver and another occupant sustained critical injuries.
Fire and Emergency crews used hydraulic rescue equipment to free those trapped inside the car. One of the critically injured was airlifted to Waikato Hospital, while the other was taken by ambulance to Rotorua Hospital.
Schoolchildren on the Bus
The bus was carrying students from Kaiti School in Gisborne, who were in Rotorua for the Te Mana Kuratahi national kapa haka competition in nearby Tauranga.
Kaiti School tumuaki (principal) Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton confirmed that three students were taken to hospital but later discharged.
“Following yesterday’s absolutely impressive stand at Te Mana Kuratahi, Puhi Kaiti Kapa were involved in a bus vs car collision in Rotorua on their way to their accommodation from dinner last night,” she wrote on Facebook.
“All students and kaiako are safe. Our hearts and aroha are with our team and their whānau.”
Emergency Response
St John Ambulance sent five ambulances and two helicopters to the scene, treating dozens of people for injuries ranging from minor to critical.
By Friday morning, both the bus and car had been towed from the site, leaving only broken glass and oil residue on the road.
Ongoing Investigation
Rotorua Māori ward councillor Trevor Maxwell described Te Ngae Road as a busy stretch under heavy roadworks and said it had been the site of multiple fatal crashes since 2013.
Police are now investigating the cause of the crash and have appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage from the area.