Driver shaken but hailed as hero in aftermath of Remarkables road crash

The Go Orange charter bus was returning from a day trip to the skifield when it swerved into a snow bank and hit a rock. Photo / James Allan

The driver of the tourist bus that crashed into a ditch in the Remarkables yesterday has been left shaken after the close brush with disaster.

His adept manoeuvring, which saw the bus veer into a ditch, rather than off a steep drop, was praised for saving the 28 on board from serious injury or worse.

Several people were injured when the bush crashed and veered about 1m off Ski Field Access Road at about 5pm on Saturday.

Go Orange head of operations, Tim Bark, said the driver was still traumatised by the accident.

"He's quite upset about it - it's a very traumatic experience. We're assisting him through it at the moment."

The Go Orange charter passengers were returning from a day trip to the skifield when the bus swerved into a snow bank and hit a rock, which forced the bus to jolt violently.

Two helicopters and three ambulances were sent to the scene.

Several people, including a 4-year-old girl, were injured, but most were discharged from Lakes Hospital overnight.

One woman, flown to Dunedin Hospital with slightly more serious injuries, was due to be discharged today.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit is inspecting the bus for mechanical damage to determine if a vehicle fault might have been the cause.

Police said the vehicle was being removed from the scene today, as poor weather had prevented its removal last night.