Wairoa fatal crash: One dead and two critically injured after car and school bus collide

A crumpled car is worked on by emergency services following a fatal crash with a school bus in Wairoa. Photo / The River Independent Press - Wairoa

The mayor of the small Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa says a fatal school bus crash into a car has devastated the community.

Police were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Black St and Achilles St/State Highway 2 in Wairoa about 3pm on Tuesday.

One person died and two others were injured and remained in hospital in a critical condition today.

A photo of the crash from the River City Press in Wairoa showed a number firefighters working on a crumpled car that was overturned on the footpath.

The Serious Crash Unit closed the roads while it investigated the crash. Police said the death would be referred to the coroner and that staff are providing support to the families of the victims.

Police said the crash involved a school bus with a driver and two passengers, and only minor injuries were reported among those on the bus.

The crash happened at an intersection within metres of Wairoa College.

The school has been contacted for comment.

Deputy secretary at the Ministry of Education Jocelyn Mikaere said the bus was funded by the ministry.

A “traumatic incident team” was working with the kura whose students were on the bus, she said.

“This support will be available for as long as it’s needed.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the crash had caused “absolute devastation” in the community and he was devastated for the families of those involved in the crash.

“Wairoa is a small place, everyone knows each other.

“It’s just one of those things that you just couldn’t even imagine would happen and it’s pretty devastating for us all.

“It’s just absolutely horrible. It’s going to rock the town.”

Little said the crash happened in a 50km/h zone and it was unusual for a fatality to occur there.

Emergency services were called to two other incidents in Wairoa within an hour of the fatal crash.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said around 2.15pm yesterday a truck and trailer rolled, partially blocking one lane in the town, and just before 3pm there was a minor incident with a vehicle close to the fatal crash.

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.