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A bus driver accused of abandoning his vehicle and passengers as it slid backwards on a treacherous alpine pass has denied he left them to their own fate.
Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) is looking into the actions of the Atomic Shuttles driver who got out of the 19-seater bus in dangerous snow-covered conditions in the steep Otira Gorge, in the central South Island, on Sunday.
A passenger on the bus has complained to LTNZ about the driver's actions, but the shuttle company is standing by the experienced driver, who is "a mess" over the claims.
After sliding, the bus and attached trailer jack-knifed and hit a bank, averting a potentially deadly plunge.
Roading contractor Paddy Blanchfield reportedly told the Greymouth Star newspaper the driver ignored a request from a road crew at the bottom of the gorge that he wait and follow a grader to the top of the pass.
Mr Blanchfield would not comment when contacted by the Herald yesterday.
Atomic Shuttles franchise spokeswoman Robyn Steele told the Herald the driver had stopped on a slope, put the handbrake on and got out because a snow chain fitted to the vehicle had broken.
"He went to fix the chain and when he turned around the bus was sliding sidewards," Mrs Steele said. "And then he chased the bus to get into the bus (and) he fell over himself with the conditions."
Some of the passengers reportedly managed to jump out as it was sliding. Mrs Steele said one person jumped into the front seat to apply the foot brake, which is when the bus and trailer jack-knifed.
She also denied the driver ignored the road crew's advice, saying he complied with instructions to follow behind the grader.
LTNZ transport relationship manager Dennis Robertson said those involved would be spoken to to determine if passengers were left in any danger.
There were conflicting stories and the facts were still being determined yesterday, Mr Robertson said.
"Where people are looking after passengers, we are always keen to make sure they take full responsibility for the safety of passengers at all times."
It did not appear to be a case where any legal action could apply, but recommendations could be made to the shuttle company.
