Three taken to hospital after schoolbus crash

UPDATED 8.48: Two children and a woman have been taken to Tauranga Hospital following a crash with a schoolbus this morning.

Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said the three people were travelling on Welcome Bay Rd when they appeared to drive into the rear of a
stationary schoolbus at 7.48am near Esmeralda Drv.

"Apart from the driver, the bus was unoccupied,'' Mr Campion said.

Mr Campion said the crash shut down the Papamoa bound lane of Welcome Bay Rd but there were no significant delays for traffic.

UPDATED 8.16am: Traffic is backed up in Welcome Bay after a crash involving a schoolbus and car this morning.

Emergency services are still at the scene of Welcome Bay Rd and Esmeralda Drv, where it appears a car has been driven into the rear of the bus.

A police spokeswoman has confirmed there was no one on the bus except for the driver, who was unhurt.

However, a person from the car is being treated by St John ambulance staff.

A witness who lives in the area said the area of road was bad for sunstrike in the morning and the car appeared to have hit the right rear end of the bus.

Traffic was down to one lane and badly backed up with no diversions in place yet, he said.

EARLIER: Emergency services are this morning responding to a crash involving a school bus and a car in Welcome Bay.

The crash happened about 7.50am near the intersection of Welcome Bay Rd and Esmeralda St. Early reports suggest there are multiple injuries.

More soon.