A Stagecoach bus driver has gone on trial in the Auckland District Court today over the death of a 12 year-old boy whose schoolbag became caught in the rear door of a "bendy" bus.
Kereopa Te Waru Puru was charged with careless driving causing death and failing to stop after an accident after Matthew Scott Taylor was run over by his bus last May.
In his opening address, crown prosecutor David McNaughton said Matthew had run alongside the bus for several seconds, struggling to pull his bag free, before falling under the bus' rear wheel.
Several school children would give evidence during the nine-day trial about how Puru was told what had happened but continued to drive.
"The accused knew almost immediately from the reaction of the children at the back of the bus that something had happened," Mr McNaughton said.
When interviewed by Police, Puru allegedly said he wasn't sure if the children were serious or not.
Around 20 witnesses would be called during the trial before Judge Jeremy Doogue.
Bus driver goes on trial over schoolboy death
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