A Naked bus that crashed into a bank on State Highway 2 at Athenree yesterday afternoon has been seized by police for inspection.

The bus carrying 37 passengers from Auckland to Tauranga was turning onto SH2 from Athenree Road when it left the road and crashed head first into a bank around 3.30pm.

A bus contracted to NakedBus.com crashed into a bank at Athenree yesterday.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says around seven passengers onboard were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Two women were also taken to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott says the 71-year-old Tauranga woman and 74-year-old Hastings woman were treated and discharged.

Ian says the remaining passengers were ferried to Katikati Fire Station where they waited for a bus to transfer them to their destination.

'Thanks to the Katikati Fire Service for making their facilities available to be a welfare centre.

'The bus has been seized and will be inspected by police to determine what has occurred.”

It is understood the bus is owned by another company and contracted to Naked Bus.

The bus driver works for the parent company.

Naked Bus chief executive Hamish Nuttall says they have spoken with the bus driver but cannot speculate on the cause while police investigate.

'Nakedbus.com regrets some passengers have been injured and others inconvenienced.

'The safety of our passengers is non-negotiable and we will be thoroughly reviewing this incident to ensure we learn from it.”

'We understand several passengers were sent to hospital with minor injuries but most passengers continued their journey to Tauranga and on to Rotorua.”