KEY POINTS:
A sneezing fit is being blamed for an accident that resulted in a bus hitting a bank and tipping over on the outskirts of Rotorua city.
The only occupant in the Nirvana Coaches bus was the driver, who received minor injuries.
The crash outside Kaue Cemetery held up early morning traffic yesterday.
Nirvana Coaches owner Kevin Smith said that shortly before 7.30am the driver, who had more than 30 years' experience, was heading towards Mamaku to pick up children for school when he had a sneezing fit and crashed.
The bus was left resting on its side until it was removed later in the morning.
The driver was a relief driver for the Reporoa company.
"He was heading towards the Ngongotaha roundabout and started sneezing violently. He has lost control and run up the bank, tipping the bus over. Luckily, there were no children on board," Mr Smith said.
"He has a few scrapes on his arm but other than that, he is fine."
Two other buses picked up the children waiting in Mamaku to go to school in Rotorua.
'There was plenty of room on the other buses because the high school kids finished up last week. They used their initiative and coped really well," Mr Smith said.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
