Inquiry into school bus crash

An investigation has started into a school bus carrying 16 children rolled down a bank in Taranaki yesterday.

Constable Mark Carter, of Eltham, said the bus was travelling on Mangawhero Rd about 8am when it went through a fence, over a bank and tipped on its right side.

Six of the 16 children on board were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A 10-year-old was also airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital but was later discharged.

Mr Carter said a decision over whether the bus driver would be charged was some weeks away.

"There will be an investigation by the CTIU police - the commercial vehicle inspection team - then they'll report to me with a recommendation."

Mr Carter said the road the bus had tipped on was not particularly dangerous.

"Around that area they're all narrow country roads so it's just a matter of driving to the conditions."

The injured children were pupils at Kaponga Primary School.

School principal Shane Downs arrived on the scene soon after the crash.

He said the parents also arrived quickly and comforted the children.

- NZPA