Warning - content may distress. Eyewitness video captured moments after crash near Westlake Girls' High School on Auckland's North Shore.
WARNING: Some people may find this footage distressing.
Westlake Girls High School students who witnessed the crash which has one pupil fighting for her life in Auckland's Starship Hospital are being offered counselling.
In an email to parents, the school's principal, Jane Stanley, said counselling support was on offer for all students and staff.
"Our thoughts are with the students and families involved in the terrible accident outside our school this morning," she said.
"The emergency services arrived quickly at the scene but some of our students have sustained serious injuries and they are all receiving the best possible care in hospital."
Five pupils from Westlake Girls' and Boys' High Schools were run over at a bus stop this morning, with one critically injured girl left fighting for her life.
She was originally taken to Auckland city Hospital but has since been moved to Starship.
Another has serious injuries and two victims are in a stable condition in Starship. A fifth pupil was treated at the scene but did not need to go to hospital.
Those mowed down were left spread over many metres with one boy using a backpack as a makeshift pillow while paramedics assessed his injuries.
School pupils were seen comforting each other in the midst of the shocking ordeal while other adults retrieved school gear.
Cordons remained in place on Wairau Rd on the North Shore this afternoon and the Serious Crash Unit was investigating.
Stanley acknowledged some students would have seen the horrific incident unfold, where passing motorists described seeing children lying on the road and hearing cries of pain.
"We are providing counselling support for all our students and staff at this difficult time.
"Please respect the privacy of the families involved," she said, adding that official media statements would be managed by the school.
"We are very grateful for the support we have received from the emergency services, the local schools and the wider community."
The vehicle is removed from the scene of a crash near Westlake Girls High School on Auckland's North Shore this morning. Photo/ Doug Sherring
Acting Inspector Jason Homan of the Waitemata Police provided the school a statement regarding the incident.
"Police remain at the scene where five people were struck by a car on Wairau Road around 8.30am this morning," he said.
"All of the five people injured are students from Westlake Girls and Westlake Boys schools and their families have been notified."
One vehicle was involved in the crash and police were speaking with the driver of that vehicle.
The driver was not injured in the crash.
"Police and Victim Support are working closely with the families of the students and the school support to them at this traumatic time."
