Flowers left at the scene of the fatal bus crash near Rotorua on State Highway 5. Photo / Stephen Parker
Flowers left at the scene of the fatal bus crash near Rotorua on State Highway 5. Photo / Stephen Parker
A Givealittle page has now been set up for the families of the Chinese tourists killed in a bus crash last week.
The tour bus carrying 27 Chinese people, most understood to be from China's Sichuan province, rolled on State Highway 5 at Ngātira, near Rotorua on September 4.
Fouradults and one child were killed.
The Givealittle page was set up by Rotorua Chinese Association member and interpreter co-ordinator Michael Wang on behalf of the community on Monday.
"They came to embark their touring journey in New Zealand and [it was] tragically cut short due to this unfortunate incident," the page read.
Wang was one of the first interpreters at Rotorua Hospital on the day of the crash and volunteered to co-ordinate the interpreters when the police asked for his help.
This role involved managing the interpreters as well as being close with the survivors and he has been in and out of the hospital daily since the crash.
"As far as I know a few of them want to go home as soon as it's all sorted," he said, but he was unsure of when that would be.
He said it was an honour to be part of the local Chinese community to offer the cultural comfort - "a home away from home" - during the aftermath of the tragedy.
"Just go to the hospital and be with them."
He said the survivors felt "devastated" but lucky to be alive.
"They're also very grateful for all the Kiwis who stepped up on the day, even the ones before the ambulance and helicopter arrived."
Aerial view of the bus crash scene on State Highway 5 near Ngatira. Photo / Supplied
He said the survivors were grateful to those who helped them out of the bus before emergency services arrived.
"They're getting all the possible care and compassion and treatment they could possibly have," he said.
The Lakes DHB said four people injured in the crash are still in Rotorua Hospital, all in a stable condition.
Four others who had been in hospital since the crash had been discharged on Monday evening.
"Lakes DHB is continuing to work closely with the police, ACC, the Chinese Embassy, Waikato Hospital and the tour company to ensure the safe discharge and ongoing health and welfare of all the people involved in the crash," a Lakes DHB spokeswoman said.
The next of kin of the five passengers killed had been notified and arrangements were under way to transport their bodies to families back in China.
Police are keen to hear from three possible witnesses to the crash.
"One is the driver of a white car described as being close to the scene as the crash occurred," a police statement said.
"Police are also keen to speak with a truck driver wearing a hi-vis jacket who radioed his base for assistance and directed traffic prior to police arriving at the scene. Finally, we would like to speak to the driver of another car that was directly behind the first car on the crash scene."
