Bus driver charged with drink driving

A 71-year-old charter bus driver is facing a drink driving charge after police stopped his bus with 40 students aboard at Punakaiki, on the West Coast.

West Coast police commander, Inspector John Canning, said police were alerted just after 6pm yesterday about the man's erratic driving between Westport and Punakaiki.

They caught up with bus 50 minutes later and gave the driver a roadside breath test, which he failed.

He was taken to Greymouth for an evidential breath test and blew 448 micrograms per litre of breath -- the limit is 400mcg.

It's understood the students were from Wellington private school, Wellesley College.

Mr Canning said they apparently continued their journey on another bus.

State Highway 6 between Westport and Punakaiki, which is narrow and winding in places, was not an easy drive, he said.

"If I was in a car where the driver blew over the limit I would feel endangered. If my family was in a car like that I would feel their lives were in danger."

- NZPA