Schoolchildren avoid injury in bus incident

Schools students had a narrow escape from injury when their school bus was forced to swerve violently to avoid an out-of-control ute and trailer near Paeroa this morning.

Police said the ute driver travelling north along State Highway 2 about 8am lost control and veered across the centre line into the south bound lane.

The bus driver travelling south took evasive action to avoid a head-on collision and the ute and trailer scraped down the left hand side of the bus.

No one was hurt and the dozen school children were transferred to another bus to continue their journey.

Police said it was too early to say if the ute driver would be charged.

- NZPA