Anxious wait for family of crash victim

Shateel Chand. Photo / Supplied

Dozens of friends and family members have crammed into the intensive care unit's waiting room in support of bus crash victim Shateel Chand, as she lies in a critical condition.

The 15-year-old Auckland Girls' Grammar student was struck by a bus while crossing Penrose Rd in Mt Wellington on Tuesday morning.

The bus driver has been suspended while police investigate the crash.

A family friend of the Chands, Rupen Prasad, told the Herald doctors remained positive that the teenager would pull through.

Auckland District Health Board spokeswoman Julia Lang told NZPA today that Shateel's condition was improving. Her condition was still listed as critical but she was now stable.

Mr Prasad said 90 to 100 friends and relatives were at Auckland City Hospital on Monday evening.

He said Shateel's parents, Rakesh and Sobhna Chand, had stayed overnight and would not leave their daughter's side until she recovered.

Sergeant Matthew Ford, of Auckland city serious crash unit, said several more witnesses had come forward and police would interview the bus driver today.

He hoped the driver's statement would corroborate the investigators' theory on what took place, but would not go into detail.

"I won't say at this stage ... until we hear it from the driver."

It was the first bus accident Mr Ford was aware of where the company had proactively suspended the driver pending the police investigation.

"I think it is a protection thing to show they are taking it seriously," he said.