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GREYMOUTH - Two tourists have been taken to hospital with minor injuries after a tourist bus plunged 40 metres down a bank in the Fox Hills, south of the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of the South Island.
Bloodied passengers called for help today moments after their tourist bus plunged 40 metres down a bank in the Fox Hills, south of the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of the South Island.
No one was killed but some of the 44 passengers on the Kiwi Experience bus were hurt.
The company's group general manager Sue Sullivan said as far as she was aware no one had been seriously hurt. The two with minor injuries suffered "a broken arm type thing".
"I've not spoken to the driver so I can't confirm that. Nor have I spoken to the police."
This information had come through from people who were at the site, Ms Sullivan said.
She did not know what had caused the crash.
She said the male bus driver was in shock but was not injured and was being looked after by other staff on site.
The passengers were from a number of countries but the company would not be releasing any further details on precisely where they were from, Ms Sullivan said.
She said the company was communicating with the passengers' booking agents. The travellers would be accomodated in the area tonight then staff would find out whether they wanted to continue the tour.
"At this stage it's too early to comment on what will happen."
Fox Glacier motelier Jack Baithilingham, arrived minutes after the bus had plunged down the bank to find the "bloodied, walking wounded" on State Highway 6.
He said passengers were calling out for help.
Some were covered in blood, crying, screaming and trying to scramble up the steep bank.
No other vehicle was involved and the weather was clear but cold. Visibility was good and there was no fog or ice, Mr Baithilingham said.
He said the bus was not on the right side of the road.
"They were very lucky. The people are all okay and a couple of them are injured but not seriously. There are small injuries, not major ones."
He said the driver was "going the wrong way.
"Maybe he cannot control it (the bus)."
The driver was taken to the Whataroa police station.
The bus spent the previous night at a Franz Josef motel where the young passengers apparently had "a big night" watching the Hurricanes-Crusaders rugby game.
Alpine guides also raced to the accident scene to help injured passengers.
A rescue helicopter landed at the Fox Glacier as 12 to 14 passengers were taken to the Fox Glacier Medical Clinic for treatment.
Dr Martin London said most of the passengers were "absolutely fine but there are some minor injuries. One might have injured her knee and is flying to Grey Base Hospital to be checked."
Another passenger had a suspected fractured arm.
"They are a very lucky group of people."
He said cars and buses regularly went over banks but with few injuries because the thick bush allowed vehicles to land gently.
- NZPA
