Police have named the bus driver who died in a fiery crash on Tāmaki Drive last week as investigations into the incident continue.
Sean Cleary, 61, was killed when the bus he was driving collided with a car on Tāmaki Dr on Wednesday last week.
Police said inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown previously said he was “saddened” to hear of the driver’s death in the crash.
“It’s a stark reminder of the fragility of life and how it can change in the blink of an eye.”
An Auckland Transport bus went up in flames last night after a crash with a car on Tamaki Drive, near Mechanics Bay. (Source: 1News)
Auckland Transport said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss of one of its bus drivers.
“Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
“Our drivers play a huge role in keeping our city moving. They’re part of our community, showing up every day to help people get where they need to go. This loss is felt across our organisation and by everyone who worked alongside them. We extend our condolences to all who knew and cared for them.”
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency previously said the fire started in the car’s engine.
Bus operator Kinetic said an investigation found the batteries in the bus were undamaged and not a factor in the blaze.
Auckland councillor Richard Hills earlier said he was disappointed with the level of “bizarre anti-EV propaganda” circulating on social media in the wake of the crash.
“Just like all types of vehicles, there will be times we sadly have EV bus collisions and / or fires, and we know batteries can be harder to put out,” Hills said. “That’s why there are fire safety systems and technology built in and around the batteries.”
He said people should think of the harm misinformation caused, especially when people had been killed or harmed.
“Check reliable sources or even wait a day or two, misinformation is rife when events are unfolding. People have different opinions and that’s OK, but I do worry that sometimes people can be so clouded by those views they forget there are real people dealing with things like this on the other end.”
