Police are investigating how a school bus carrying approximately 45 people crashed into a ditch early this afternoon on SH4, 9 kilometres south of Taumarunui.
Police were notified around 12:30pm of the bus crash involving students and teachers from three Wanganui High Schools. They were travelling to the Nga Manu Korero 2013 National Secondary Schools Speech Contest, in Hamilton.
A total of eight people were injured. Five students and two teachers suffered minor injuries and were transported to the Taumarunui Hospital for treatment. One student was airlifted to Waikato Hospital with moderate injuries.
The police investigation is ongoing and the Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit are working together to determine what has happened.
The three schools have now informed the families of the students and teachers involved in the crash.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.