The boss of a tour company whose bus was involved in a dramatic crash in Tongariro National Park yesterday, injuring 15 British and American tourists, says nine have been discharged from hospital.
The injured tourists, four of whom were seriously hurt, were taken to four different North Island hospitals after their bus crashed down a 10-metre bank and into a stream at the intersection of State Highways 47 and 48.
The tourists, aged in their 60s, were travelling with Auckland-based tour company MoaTrek and were on their way to Napier when the crash occurred just after 8am.
The company's director, Miles Clark, this morning said staff were in Taupo and Whanganui, where most of the injured were being treated.
"Nine clients have been discharged so far but six others, including the bus driver, remain in hospital. MoaTrek will make arrangements for those discharged to travel back to Auckland.