Children and truck driver injured in school bus collision

Thirteen children received minor injuries when a school bus collided with a truck near Feilding this morning.

The children were on their way to Halcombe School and possibly Feilding High School, when the collision happened on a bridge about 8.30am.

The bus driver, who suffered moderate injuries, and seven children were taken by ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital.

The truck driver suffered serious head and chest injuries and was flown to Palmerston North Hospital by the Square Trust rescue helicopter.

The truck driver was trapped in his cab for 90 minutes.

Senior Sergeant Trevor Thorne, of the commercial vehicle investigation unit, said the remaining children were treated at the scene by ambulance staff.

They were taken to a nearby hall and Victim Support volunteers were called. A woman at Halcombe School said the principal had rushed to the hall after hearing of the accident.

The road was closed this morning while the vehicles were cleared.

- NZPA