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A bus driver was killed and 40 people were pulled from the vehicle, some moderately injured, after it collided with a train at an intersection between Bunnythorpe and Palmerston North.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Railway Rd and Clevely Line, about 2 kilometers from Bunnythorpe, shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Police Sergeant Major Phil Ward said the bus driver, a woman, died at the scene of the accident. The bus was heading to Feilding High School and tried to cross the train tracks before the train completely cleared the road.
The bus collided with the rear of the train despite the lights and sirens at the railroad crossing.
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David Unwin / Stuff
A bus collided with a train on Railway Rd and Clevely Line, between Bunnythorpe and Palmerston North.
Ward said the sun strike could have been a factor.
A rating system was established for schoolchildren and civilians on board, and high school teachers and counselors attended to help.
He said the situation was traumatic and terrifying for the children, but they were all calm, level-headed and taking care of each other.
Ward said six people taken to the hospital had “minor cuts and abrasions.” It is understood that all have been released.
Police were asking witnesses to come forward, while officers worked to determine what happened.
Feilding High School principal Nathan Stewart said there were about 25 students from the school on the bus.
“It was a public bus that traveled from Palmerston North to Feilding. They will be fine. “
Warwick Smith / Stuff
Emergency services are at the scene of an accident between a bus and a train on Railway Road near Bunnythorpe.
He said that five students had gone to the hospital and he believed that hospital staff were checking that they were okay.
The other 20 students had been picked up by their parents and gone home to spend time with their families.
“It is very unfortunate for the bus driver and our thoughts are with [their] family, but we think everyone else is safe and will be fine. “
He said that the support for the students at the hospital had been fantastic.
St John Manawatū Territory Manager Jeff Mabbett said the six injured people were taken to the Palmerston North Hospital emergency department.
“Buses in front of any vehicle often cause catastrophic injuries, so it’s nice to have only six patients transported to the hospital.”
David Unwin / Stuff
Forty children have been removed from the school bus, some with moderate injuries.
He said there was extreme damage to the front of the bus, but fortunately most of the children were able to get out of the bus by themselves and safely.
“We know that they are predominantly high school students and the most important thing we experience is that parents rush to the place to check if they are their children.”
Children were wrapped in blankets after being pulled out of a window and many were picked up by parents.
Maxine Jacobs / Stuff
Emergency services are at the scene where a bus and train collided at the intersection of Railway Rd and Clevely Line in Bunnythorpe.
One person had been trapped on the bus, Fire and Emergency spokesman Carlos Dempsey said.
KiwiRail Group CEO Greg Miller said he was shocked and saddened to learn of the collision this morning.
“KiwiRail staff are on site, working with emergency services and supporting the train driver who is physically unharmed, but naturally affected by the incident.
“KiwiRail will offer support to the schools involved and the bus company and send my thoughts, and those of all KiwiRail staff, to everyone involved in this incident.”
Warwick Smith / Stuff
Feilding High School students were aboard the bus.
Horizons Regional Council transportation manager Rhona Hewitt said the matter was being handled by police and the bus passengers were being cared for by the bus operator.
“The buses will be late. However, we are doing our best to pick up passengers from all stops and there may be delays. “
Warwick Smith / Stuff
No one from Uzabus was available to comment on the accident.
Stuff he contacted the Uzabus bus company and was told that no one was available to comment on the accident.
Turnouts for motorists were established on Railway Rd and Dixon Line. The road reopened later in the morning after the scene was blessed.
The TrackSafe NZ Rail Safety Charitable Foundation, director of the Megan Drayton Foundation, was saddened to learn of the accident.
“This incident serves as an absolutely tragic reminder of how serious the outcome can be when a heavy vehicle collides with a train. We hope that an incident like this never happens again.”
