Three other patients, who were in the bus, suffered moderate injuries and the remaining 26 people from the bus, mainly children, were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Five ambulances, two helicopters, a rapid response unit, two operations managers and a major incident support vehicle were sent to the crash.
A tribute to Thompson was posted online by Ross McCook, a youth mentor who met her when she was a teenager attending one of his youth programmes.
Te Ngae Rd where the crash happened. Photo / Ben Fraser
McCook said he stayed in contact with Thompson and her siblings in the years that followed.
He described her as “definitely one of my superheroes”, saying many superheroes had endured some “incredibly challenging and sometimes heartbreaking things in their very tender and young years”.
“Teleia sadly passed away as a result of being in that horrendous bus/car crash in Rotorua last Thursday. We are absolutely heartbroken to hear this news.”
He said she was a “super caring person with a big heart” and was “funny, sassy, fiercely independent and super cheeky”.
The post said Thompson had faced challenges as a young teen.
McCook told the Rotorua Daily Post today he was “gutted” when he got the news about Thompson at the weekend.
“I just couldn’t believe it.”
He said she had been living in Auckland.
He said she would be returned to Matatā this week for her tangi at Rangitihi Marae and would be buried next to her father.
Another post on social media said she would now be with her father.
“You’re with your daddy now girl, the day you’ve been waiting for. Sad it ended so soon and the way it did.”
Police told the Rotorua Daily Post they were unable to release any details about how the crash happened and whether anyone would be charged until after they had completed their investigation.
In a further statement naming Thompson on Thursday, police extended their sympathies to her family and friends.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
Editor’s note
This story has been updated to include an additional police statement and amend some content from Ross McCook.
