Bus driver 'distraught' after school accident

The driver of a bus which ploughed into a group of schoolgirls yesterday is said to be "distraught".

His employers, Ritchies Coachlines, said he did not sleep last night following the accident at Rangitoto College Students on Auckland's North Shore.

The driver was due to be interviewed by police today as one of the students hit by his bus remained critically ill in hospital.

One of the girls was reported to be in a critical condition in hospital. Two others were stable and the other two were believed to have minor injuries.

The company said the bus had been cleared of mechanical faults and returned to the company although it would not be allowed back on the road to carry passengers until it had been re-tested.

The man has been taken off driving duties and bus company spokesman John Harvey said he was "very, very distraught".

Mr Harvey added: "He is very, very upset. He didn't get any sleep. He is a very responsible man. Distraught isn't even a good enough term."

He would not comment on suggestions the driver's foot may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake as he was turning his bus.

It is believed the injured students were sitting on a grass verge at the front of the school in Mairangi Bay when they were dragged under the wheels of the bus.

One witness said it appeared the driver had lost control.

The company said the driver would be interviewed today. He had not said much about what happened but he was not, as earlier reported, on his first day on the job.

He had been employed by the company for six weeks and before being assigned driving duties, had been on a month-long training course.

Mr Harvey said the company viewed driving schoolchildren as one of the most responsible jobs anyone could have.

"These are our future leaders and we train and impress on our drivers, as does every bus company and I am not saying we are unique, that the responsibility for carrying these children to and from school, is huge."

The driver was on full pay but his return to work would depend on what action police might take, if any.

The driver had been getting support from other company staff and had been offered counselling.

College principal David Hodge said one student had been discharged but four remained in hospital, including one who was in the critical care department.

He said it was a "freakish accident" which was seen by a lot of students.

"We had an awful day yesterday to be perfectly frank. We had all our counsellors working overtime. We had staff working to support all the students who needed support. We will continue that today," he told National Radio.

He said the accident happened during the morning break and had devastated students and staff.

"It was the last you would expect, a beautiful fine day, a wonderful atmosphere on the campus, and then all of a sudden this happens.

"Obviously as a school our first responsibility is to keep all the students safe so we are going through a real process now of trying to figure out why we couldn't have foreseen what happened and that process will continue."

Police said the driver was too upset to be interviewed yesterday and would be spoken to today.

Until he had been interviewed and the inquiry was finished, it was too soon to talk about possible charges.

- NZPA