Bus Crash: Te Anau Mossburn Highway

Police and emergency services are working to clear the road following a bus crash on the Te Anau Mossburn Highway (State Highway 94) this morning, about 4km north of Mossburn.

Police were advised before 9am this morning that the bus had crashed with 30 people, all Mandarin speakers, on board.

It appears that the bus had been travelling on the road at a speed of about 40-50km behind another bus when it slid on black ice, undertaking a 180 degree turn and coming off the road backwards.

The Worldway bus has travelled to the opposite side of the road, landing on its side and hitting a power pole.

Police, Fire and St John Ambulance attended at the scene as did three helicopters. Two were used to transport patients to Dunedin and Southland hospitals.

A 55-year-old man has been taken by helicopter to Southland Hospital with chest and back pain as has a female (age unknown) with a fractured ankle.

A 52-year-old woman with chest, shoulder and neck pain has also been flown to Southland Hospital. She is accompanied by her daughter who is uninjured.

A 9-year-old child has abdominal injuries. She has been flown to Dunedin hospital and is accompanied by her mother who is uninjured.

The bus driver (age unknown) has also been taken to Southland Hospital as a precaution. The remaining uninjured people are being transported back to Te Anau.

Police are liaising with the Chinese consulate in Christchurch over the incident.

Power was initially out as a result of the bus hitting the power pole but is believed to have since been restored. The road is open to one-lane traffic.

Police are reminding motorists to exercise extreme caution and care as roads in the area are treacherous. At least three other crashes have occurred in the area today.

Police's Serious Crash Unit and CVIU are investigating the cause of the crash.