Source: Radio New Zealand
Wairoa mayor Craig Little believes the people in the car were all from the same family. Nick Monro
A deadly crash involving a car and a school bus has devastated the town of Wairoa, says the local mayor.
The crash – at about 3pm on Tuesday – closed the intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street on State Highway 2.
Only minor injuries were reported from the driver and two passengers on the bus.
But a person in the car was killed, and two others critically injured.
Mayor Craig Little believed the people in the car were all from the same family.
“Wairoa’s a pretty unique place, we all get on, we all know each other,” he said.
“The families probably all know each other who have been involved, the first responders, my hat goes off to them, they would have come across something horrendous.
“The town was really quite sad yesterday and probably still is,” he said.
Police say the death will be referred to the coroner and that they would continue to investigate.
The mayor said that in itself would be a horrible job.
“No-one wanted this on anybody,” he said.
Little had been speaking with relatives who were struggling to cope.
“I don’t think they are, simple as that, you just will never ever get over something like this,” he said.
“Everyone is grieving, really.”
The Ministry of Education said it had engaged a traumatic incident team to work with the school that had its students on the bus.
“This support will be available for as long as it’s needed,” it said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
