1.40pm
A man who died in a collision in Taupo this week was the father of a former Kiwi pop star.
Ford Clive Williams, 77, of Taupo, was killed when the van he was driving collided with a school bus in Taupo on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Williams was the father of Australian-based singer
Mark Williams, who had a big hit in the 1980s with his song Show No Mercy.
Originally from Dargaville, Mr Williams had a big family which included son Mark and five daughters.
Kevin Bevege, a mechanic, saw the accident while test- driving a vehicle nearby at his workplace.
He said the school bus was heading along Opepe St toward Rickit St when the van, driven by Mr Williams, turned into its path.
The van was knocked almost completely around and then kept moving down Opepe St, hitting another vehicle.
The bus veered across the right-hand lane and on to the kerb before the driver was able to stop.
"The bus driver was distraught. He did all he could. He had obviously seen him [the van] because he had locked up the brakes before they hit."
Taupo Intermediate principal Bill Clarke said the intermediate pupils who had been on the school bus were all fine yesterday. They all had access to counsellors or staff to talk to if they needed it.
He praised the efforts of police and Victim Support who removed the children from the scene immediately and took them to McDonald's where they were provided with a special area and food while school staff phoned parents.
One pupil who suffered minor injuries was back at school yesterday.
Taupo Passenger Services company director Steve Milne said the bus driver involved had been shaken up by the accident and would return to work when he felt ready.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
