Fatal Mt Eden bus crash: Friends grieve for devoted dad Christopher Tobin

A man who died and whose children were badly injured after their car and a bus crashed in Mt Eden was just minutes away from home.

Friends have expressed grief for "devoted" dad-of-five Christopher Tobin, 51.

A Givealittle page has been set up to raise money for his devastated wife Olivia and their children.

By 10am today it had had $8555 donated.

His two youngest children, Elle, 2, and 1-year-old Jack, were left with critical injuries after the car and a bus crashed head-on about 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The scene of the crash in which Tobin's children were also injured. Photo / File

Tobin died at the scene.

A Starship spokeswoman said today: "The younger child [Jack] is critical and the older child [Elle] is stable."

Tobin is suspected to have suffered a medical event prior to the crash on the corner of Mt Eden Rd and Bellevue Rd.

The author of the Givealittle page states that Tobin, known as Tuffa, was just minutes away from his Mt Eden home when the crash happened.

"Chris was so full of life, he had one of the biggest grins and a heart full of so much love to all those around him," the page reads.

"He was a devoted family man."

Tobin had three children with Olivia and two older sons from a previous relationship.

"Jack is still fighting for his life in intensive care," the page read.

"This Givealittle page is one way we can somehow help this beautiful young family get through this terribly tough time and to show them our support.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the kids, Olivia.

"We all love you dearly."

Auckland Tramways Union president Gary Froggatt earlier told the Herald he understood the driver of the car had a medical event, swerved across the median strip at some speed and into the oncoming bus.

The police, when asked about the possible cause of the crash and Froggatt's statement, said they were continuing their investigation and couldn't comment until it was completed.

Froggatt said the bus driver, who is married with children and lives in Mangere, had suffered the sort of trauma that would live with him forever.

About half a dozen passengers were on the bus when it crashed. Two suffered minor and moderate injuries and were taken to Auckland Hospital.