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Six people were hospitalised after a passenger bus crashed north of New Plymouth this afternoon.
Thirteen people were aboard the Intercity bus as it was travelling to New Plymouth from Hamilton, Senior Sergeant Matt Prendergast of Waitara police told NZPA.
The accident happened at the foot of Mt Messenger at Uruti, 50km north of New Plymouth, about 1.15pm.
The bus lost control on a corner and drove up onto a bank, Mr Prendergast said.
Six passengers were taken to New Plymouth's Taranaki Base Hospital with minor injuries.
"It was fortunate it didn't actually roll onto its side otherwise the injuries could have been worse," Mr Prendergast said.
The front of the bus was damaged in the crash.
A crane was on its way to remove the bus from the bank so it could be towed away.
Mr Prendergast said police were investigating the cause of the accident.
- NZPA