Woman killed after bus crash named

Emergency services at the scene on Te Ngae Rd on Saturday night. Photo / Ben Fraser

Police have released the name of the woman who was killed on Te Ngae Rd on Saturday night.

She was Eileen Rangituiwa Gardiner, 48, from Rotorua.

The woman died after being hit by a bus near the intersection with Coulter Rd. The incident happened at 7.40pm and the road was closed for several hours while emergency services carried out their scene examination.

The bus, an InterCity coach, had several passengers on board who were picked up by another bus about 9pm and taken to their destinations.

Constable Darrell Earney of the Rotorua police said the police were still conducting their investigation and it was too early to say how the woman died.

Residents on Te Ngae Rd told the Rotorua Daily Post the woman had run on to the road to save her dog but Mr Earney said it was too early in the investigation to confirm the details.

Those who knew her, including her neighbour and business owners in the area, described her as a "lovely lady" who was often seen walking her dog.

InterCity general manager Sam Peate said it was running its own investigation into the event and that was still under way. "It was obviously a tragic event and very upsetting for the passengers on board and the driver. Our thoughts go out to the family of the deceased woman," he said.