Bus rolls down bank near Levin

File photo / NZ Herald

Seat belts saved 15 German tourists from serious harm when their bus rolled down a bank north of Wellington this morning.

A police spokesman said they were called to the incident on State Highway 1, just north of Levin near Waitarere Beach, just after 10am.

A bus carrying the 15 tourists and their driver had rolled off the road, he said.

He said the bus had came off the road while taking a corner.

"[The driver] hadn't managed to get it back on the road and it has impacted with the bank"

One passenger suffered from a sore back, and another received a minor burn to his arm as he was climbing out of the overturned bus. However, no further medical treatment was needed.

All passengers on board were wearing seat belts, which he said helped to save them from more serious injury.

"They were all belted in and that's what basically saved them from any serious harm."

He said he believed the tourists were on their way to walk the Tongariro Crossing.