Several Hurt When School Bus, Lorry Collide At Pakaraka

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 2

Several Hurt When School Bus, Lorry Collide At Pakaraka

(Special) , KAWAKAWA, This Day. A number of children were taken to Kawnkawa Hospital as a’ result of a collision between a Kavvakawa High School bus and a cream lorry and several others received casualty treatment. The accident occurred about three miles from the Pakaraka turn-off on the Kawakawa road when the bus was proceeding to the school. Children had been picked up from various points on the Oromahoe Road between Pukctona and Pakaraka and en route to the school a cream lorry owned by the. Bay of Islands Transport Co., Ltd. was met.

Apparently the bonnets of the two vehicles passed but the high body of the truck and the body of the bus came in contact, the side of the truck being driven into the bus and causing injuries to the children. The vehicles, however, did not leave the road or capsize.

The driver of the bus, Mr Murray Tauri, cf Kawakawa, was slightly injured, but the driver of the truck, Mr Leach, escaped injury. A passenger in the lorry. Mr Henry Takimoana. was thrown to the road by the impact and also taken to hospital suffering from a fractured right thigh.

A boy of 16, named Komene. is also in hospital, suffering - from abrasions and cuts. Four of the school children were taken to the hospital, but when the spilt cream had been washed from them it was found that they were not injured, except for a few bruises, and were sent to their homes.