Focus Live: 20 People injured in bus crash southwest of Queenstown.
Two people have been choppered to hospital in a serious condition after a bus rolled near Queenstown, blocking the road and leaving 20 people injured.
Two others passengers on the bus were taken to hospital to be treated for less serious injuries, Inspector Olaf Jensen, Otago Lakes Area Commander said.
The Glenorchy-Queenstown Road was closed while heavy lifting equipment moved the tipped bus but reopened just after 8pm.
The crash occurred on Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd about 7km southwest of Queenstown. The bus came to rest on its side.
More than 20 people had been on the bus, all foreign nationals, Jensen said.
"I want to highlight the good work by the members of the public who were first responders on the scene, who helped those involved until emergency services arrived."
Passengers on the crashed bus were speaking to police, and both the Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team advised of the accident.
The woman praised the work of emergency services staff and said the scene was remarkably calm given the seriousness of the crash.
A St John spokesman said ambulance officers had treated 20 people - two with serious injuries, one with moderate injuries and the remainder with minor injuries.
"We are still on scene and the patients will be transported to Dunedin and Lakes District Hospitals," he said earlier.
Two helicopters had been sent.
Emergency services workers tend to the injured. Photo / James Allan
Three ambulances had been at the scene, accompanied by a manager.
