Bus driver appears in court after pupils run over

A bus driver alleged to have run down five students at an Auckland high school last month appeared in court today.

The 46-year-old faced five charges of careless driving causing injury after police claim he lost control of a Ritchies Coachline bus at Rangitoto College on the North Shore.

The bus mounted a footpath and ran over the five female students as they sat on a grass area during a break.

All five were taken to hospital. Four were treated and later discharged but the fifth girl is still in hospital and believed to have a broken pelvis.

Today in North Shore District Court the man did not plead and was remanded until next month. His name was suppressed and he left the court wearing a hood over his head to avoid news cameras.

Police and the bus company had earlier said the driver was seriously affected by the incident. He has been suspended by the bus company.

- NZPA