logging truck crashes into school bus near Whakatane

It seems the logging truck lost stability and rear-ended the school bus

Thirty-six people are in hospital after a collision between a school bus and a logging truck near Whakatane. An eight-year-old is in a critical condition at Rotorua Hospital after the crash on Reid Rd in Ruatoki around 3:30pm. Police last evening held a media conference where they revised the injury toll to 36. A six-year-old is also at Rotorua Hospital with serious injuries, while the truck driver is in a stable condition at Tauranga Hospital. The rest of the injured were taken by road to Whakatane Hospital. The injuries sustained range from minor to critical. Five road ambulances and three helicopters were sent to the scene to assist the injured passengers.

Police said it appeared the truck crashed into the back of the bus, but investigations were ongoing.
Both vehicles were knocked into a nearby paddock from the crash. "The collision has caused extensive damage to the rear of the bus, injuring many children. The collision has also caused the truck trailer to roll," Inspector Sandra Venables said.

Tauranga Rescue Helicopter pilot Todd Dunham, who transported the truck driver to hospital, described the scene as like a "war zone". Children from Trident High School in Whakatane were onboard the bus. The school was in the process of compiling bus lists for police. There were also primary school students from Taneatua and Whakatane High School pupils onboard.

Whakatane High School assistant principal Philip Rodger said the school had been notified of the crash and was finding out which bus it was and notifying parents.

(from tvnz.co.nz)