Charges laid for school bus crash

The 42-year-old man who drove the logging truck involved in a crash with a school bus in Ruatoki last year is facing a charge of dangerous driving causing injury.

Inspector Kevin Taylor says the police’s serious crash unit has completed a thorough investigation into the crash that left 16 children injured.

The Ruatoki community rushed to help children injured in the crash. Photo: Whakatane Beacon.

“This was a very serious crash – one of the worst and most upsetting, in terms of the number of young victims, which had ever been attended by many of our police staff and other emergency services.

“In order to do justice to the victims and their whanau, their schools, the local community and transport users around New Zealand, it was absolutely critical that the investigation was thorough and robust and this process simply takes time to be done properly.”

Kevin says the injuries were of a nature sufficient to warrant charging the driver under the Land Transport Act 1998.

“We know there were a large number of students injured in this crash; some with minor injuries through to critical.

“Many were seen and treated at Whakatane Hospital before being admitted and/or discharged.”

The accused will appear in the Whakatane District Court on February 23.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and/or fined up to $20,000, with other penalties including loss of licence.

Kevin says an extensive investigation and crash analysis determined the crash was caused by the driver of the logging truck, when he failed to stop short, or manoeuvre around the school bus as it was pulled over to let children off.

He says because the case is now before the court, police are unable to provide any further details about the investigation.

The serious crash staff will continue to work on the prosecution aspects of the file.

“Our objective is two fold, initially to ensure the right person is held accountable for the harm that has been caused to these children and whanau.”

Kevin says they also want to ensure this type of incident is not repeated and that will continue to be their focus over the coming months.

He says the incident continues to be a clear reminder for all road users about the road rules when passing school buses.

The speed limit when passing a stationary school bus is 20km/h. 

Drivers must be aware of the presence of young children when ever a school bus is operating and take extra care when driving passed school buses.