Hokitika pupils trapped in bus crash

A busload of Hokitika children was trapped in their crashed school bus yesterday afternoon while live power lines arced around them.

It was 20 minutes before the scene was secured and they could be pulled to safety through a broken window.

Seventeen children were travelling home on the Ritchies bus when it veered off the road taking out a power pole and leaving the vehicle teetering on three wheels.

Parents of the children, from both primary and secondary schools, arrived on the scene shortly after emergency services.

Ross Barker said his two sons were trapped on the bus while it was secured and electricity in the immediate vicinity was cut off. The children were then pulled out one by one through a rear window and checked over by medical staff.

Mr Barker said one of his sons suffered a chipped tooth and a cut to the ear. Another passenger was taken to Grey Base Hospital with moderate injuries.

Three St John ambulances responded to the accident.

- NZPA