Police may investigate disabled boy left on bus

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Police say they will investigate the case of a disabled seven-year-old Kawerau boy being left on a bus for almost five hours if required by the Ministry of Education.

Toni and Pita Ramanui were upset to discover their son Daniel, who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus (water on the brain), had been left alone on a school bus for four and a half hours without food or drink on Friday, February 24.

The Kawerau Coaches driver allegedly suffered a memory lapse and forgot to take Daniel to Kawerau South School, instead parking the bus in her drive.

It was not until the following Tuesday that the Ramanuis found out what had happened to their son - and that day the same driver had taken their son to school.

A Kawerau Coaches spokeswoman said the company had not found out until the Monday about the incident after being informed by a member of the public. The bus driver had since resigned.

She said an apology was offered to the Ramanuis the next day but the family is angry over what they say has been a lack of action.

Mrs Ramanui said last week that police were not considering charges against the driver as "there was no basis for inquiry without criminal intent''.

"She's not even going to be charged or anything. It's not a criminal offence, yet if I had [left Daniel in a vehicle], I would have been locked up.

"That's why it's frustrating, the only reason anything is getting done is because we spoke out. If we hadn't, it would have just got brushed under the table.''

Kawerau Police said that after the Ministry of Education investigated, police might be asked to inquire further.

"At the moment it is appropriate that the relevant government agency, in this case the Ministry of Education, undertakes its own investigation.

Once that investigation is complete, police will investigate further if requested by the ministry.''

A ministry spokesman said they were continuing their investigation.

"The Ministry of Education was very concerned when it was informed of what had happened,'' he said.

"The ministry is still investigating the incident and won't be able to comment further until it is completed.''

Mr Ramanui said he was shocked at how the police and bus company had handled the situation.

He said the police should have begun investigating straight away and not had to wait on a Ministry of Education report.

"What I don't understand is what [the police] were told in the first place for them not to be too worried about it. If they reopen the case I'll be pleased, but I'm not happy with any of them.

"Now we just feel like taking [Kawerau Coaches] to court. It's just shocking how they've handled it.''