School bus driver charged over bridge crash

The scene from the bus crash in Woolston. Photo / Geoff Sloan

A bus driver who drove into an overhead rail bridge while taking 24 pupils to school has been charged with careless driving.

But the unnamed Red Bus driver, whose error sent seven school kids to hospital, is still in his job and still driving buses.

Today (Monday) police confirmed that he had been charged with careless use of a motor vehicle under the Land Transport Act and faces a maximum penalty of a $3,000 fine.

A date to appear in Christchurch District Court is yet to be set.

The driver was ferrying 24 Woolston School pupils and four adults to a cross-country event in Christchurch on May 29 when the 2.9m high bus smashed into the 2.4m high rail bridge in Richardson Tce, Opawa.

Seven children aged 9 to 12 and one staff member were taken to Christchurch Hospital with minor cuts and bruises.

This afternoon, a spokeswoman for Christchurch-based Red Bus confirmed the man was still driving for the company.

"The driver is still working for Red Bus and the matter will be reviewed once the outcome of the charges are known."

She said an internal investigation into the smash was ongoing.