Pedestrian critical after sightseeing tour bus crash in Auckland’s Epsom

A pedestrian is in hospital after a bus crash on Auckland's Gilles Ave. Photo / Jed Bradley

A pedestrian is critically injured after they were struck by a sightseeing bus in Gillies Ave, Epsom on Wednesday morning.

St John said it transported a person with critical injuries to hospital after the crash near the intersection of Gillies and Alpers Ave. It was called to the scene at 9.19am, a St John spokeswoman said.

A woman working at a nearby business said the vehicle involved in the collision with the pedestrian was a blue and yellow Auckland Explorer sightseeing tour bus, with its upper deck exposed.

A statement supplied by a manager from Explorer Bus, who did not give their name, confirmed the incident involved a bus belonging to the company.

“An investigation is under way and it appears that a pedestrian has stepped out in front of a moving bus which was unable stop in time,” the manager said.

The statement further claimed police had not indicated any action would be taken against the company or the driver.

“Our thoughts are with them and their friends and whānau,” the bus company manager said.

A police spokeswoman said the Serious Crash Unit was investigating to determine the circumstances of the collision and it was too early in the inquiry to make any further comment.

Motorists were earlier warned to delay their journey or avoid Gillies Ave completely after the crash between Alpers Ave and Owens Rd. Gillies Ave forms part of a major route to the airport. The road was reported re-opened by 11am.

Auckland Transport earlier said southbound lanes were closed between SH1 interchange and Owens Rd.

UPDATE 10:00AM
Southbound lanes on Gillies Ave are now CLOSED between the SH1 interchange and Owens Rd. Northbound lanes remain open however significant congestion is occurring in the area. Delay your journey or avoid this area. ^TP https://t.co/lc6Yr1vfPM

— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) November 15, 2022

The traffic agency said northbound lanes remain open, but significant congestion is occurring in the area.

Police said a pedestrian was seriously hurt in the crash and a section of both roads would be closed while the scene was examined.

“Motorists are advised to expect delays and to choose an alternate route where available. The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance,” police said.