People injured after bus crash on Ohakune Mountain Rd

One person is critical and at least 15 others have serious injuries, after a bus with 31 passengers rolled down Ohakune Mountain Rd.

Police were called at 2.36pm today after reports a vehicle had rolled halfway down Ohakune Mountain Rd, which runs to Turoa skifield.

One person suffered critical injuries in the crash and was flown to Waikato Hospital, where they are currently being assessed.

A spokeswoman from Waikato District Health Board said three people remained at the hospital on Saturday evening.

A 20-year-old male was in a serious, but stable condition. Two females, aged 29 and 31, were also stable.

A St John spokesperson said at least 15 other people had moderate injuries, including head injuries that had knocked them out, and were being treated at a triage centre set up in Ohakune.

The spokesperson said that number could change, as in the chaos of the accident it was hard to keep accurate numbers.

Three helicopters were flown to the crash site on Mt Ruapehu to help transport the wounded.

In a statement, police said 31 people were understood to have been on the bus.

The accident has left a growing number of skiiers stranded on the mountain.

The Ohakune Mountain Rd has been closed in both directions, but one lane could reopen soon to allow people down from Turoa.

Whakapapa skifield has been closed to allow staff on the mountain to focus on the people stuck in the Turoa ski area.

UPDATE BUS INCIDENT (Ross Copland, RAL CE): I understand that the final injured passengers are currently leaving the...

Posted by Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa & Tūroa Ski Areas on Friday, 27 July 2018

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts said the bus was carrying passengers down from the Turoa ski area when the incident happened.

One motorist said there were two cars behind the bus when it crashed.

"People were being treated on the side of the road ... One woman had clearly hurt her mouth and numerous people had blood coming from their heads."

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ohakune Mountain Road is temporarily closed. A bus operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts...

Posted by Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa & Tūroa Ski Areas on Friday, 27 July 2018

Another bus operator, who did not want to be named, said one of his drivers was following the bus and saw the bus hit a bank and roll onto the road.

Newstalk ZB journalist Daniel Walker is stuck at Turoa's base cafe.

Staff are handing out free hot chocolate and coffee to some of the hundreds of weary snowbirds stuck on Mt Ruapehu, he said.

The Turoa base cafe is packed with weary people who can't get down the mountain. Photo / Daniel Walker

The last chairlift went at 4pm, and the crowd has been steadily growing since.

Many are having to sit on the floor as they wait and plenty are arriving at the cafe soaked from the wet conditions.

Visibility at the Turoa skifield has been limited today and skiers have been asked to ski to their ability and take caution. Visibility is currently between 25m and 50m, according to the Mt Ruapehu ski report.