Bus driver who lost control at school named

A North Shore bus driver who ploughed into five teenage students outside a North Shore high school gave up his job because he was so traumatised, a court was told today.

Jilai Gu, 46, who had his name suppression lifted, was now unemployed, his lawyer Edwin Telle said in North Shore District Court.

Gu appeared for sentencing on five charges of careless driving causing injury but Judge Michael Hobbs adjourned the hearing until December to give the five victims time to consider applying for reparation.

Mr Telle said Gu had voluntarily given up his job as a bus driver for Ritchies Coachlines.

Gu was charged after he lost control of his bus at Rangitoto College on Auckland's North Shore on June 27 and ran over the five girls who were sitting on a grassed area in front of the school.

All five were hurt, one suffering a broken pelvis.

Some of the victims were in court today and had their names suppressed by Judge Hobbs after the father of one complained they had to "scurry in and out of court like rats" to avoid being hounded by the media.

The father said it was not right Gu had his name suppressed while his victims had been put in the media spotlight.

- NZPA