Fatal Rotorua bus crash: Car passenger charged over Te Ngae Rd collision

The scene of the crash on Te Ngae Rd on November 6 last year. Photo / Ritik Aeehi

Police have laid charges in relation to a fatal crash involving a car and a bus carrying students in Rotorua late last year.

The crash occurred on Te Ngae Rd about 9.20pm on November 6.

A passenger in the car, 23-year-old Teleia Thompson from Rotorua, died while several students travelling on the bus were injured.

The bus was carrying children from Gisborne’s Kaiti School following the Te Mana Kuratahi national primary schools kapa haka event in Tauranga.

Three students who were taken to hospital following the crash, but were discharged a short time later.

A further 26 patients in “minor condition” were assessed and did not require transport, a St John spokesperson said at the time of the crash.

Police said a 26‑year‑old woman who was a passenger in the car has been charged with being party to dangerous driving causing death, party to four counts of dangerous driving causing injury, and perverting the course of justice.

The woman appeared in the Rotorua District Court today where she was granted interim name suppression and remanded on bail to reappear before a registrar in Rotorua on May 19.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with inquiries continuing with the driver of the car, who sustained serious injuries in the collision.