A man in a wheelchair has been seriously injured following a collision with a bus in Napier this afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted following reports of a crash involving a GoBay bus on Lee Rd, in Taradale, around 2.30pm, a police spokesperson told 1News.
Go Bus, the operator, said a manager was sent to the site as soon as it was alerted to the incident and the injured man was taken to hospital.
In a statement this afternoon, the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Transport Committee, Martin Williams, called the incident deeply distressing. “The wheelchair occupant is understood to have potentially serious injuries.
“Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with the individual who was injured, their whānau, and all those impacted by this incident. We understand the impact this has had on the community and especially on those who witnessed it,” Williams said.
“We are also providing support to the bus driver alongside Go Bus who is understandably shaken. This is a traumatic situation, and our priority is the wellbeing of all parties directly affected as investigations continue.
“We are working closely with the relevant agencies to understand what happened and to ensure every step is taken to prevent anything like this in the future. This is the very last thing we want to see happen in our public transport services.”
GoBay Route 13 (Napier-Tamatea-Taradale route) buses were temporarily suspended but have since resumed.
Young child injured in Auckland car crash
A young child has been seriously injured after being struck by a car in Auckland’s Henderson this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Newington Rd around 3pm.
The child has been taken to hospital with a broken leg and foot injuries, police said.
A section of Newington Rd between Great North Rd and Keruru Rd was closed and motorists advised to expect delays.
Traffic management was at the scene and traffic was being diverted.
