Nine students hospitalised after bus fumes in central Wellington

Multiple students from Wainuiomata Primary School were taken to Wellington Hospital after a bus carrying them to a kapa haka performance experienced a mechanical failure. The incident occurred on a motorway around 10am or 10.30am while the group was travelling to Te Papa.

Emergency services, including Fire and Emergency NZ, police, and Wellington Free Ambulance, responded to the scene on Cable Street. While initial reports suggested a bus fire, responders found an unknown substance or fumes instead.

Wellington Free Ambulance assessed 19 patients who reported respiratory and abdominal complaints. Reports differ on the exact number of people hospitalised, with figures of nine, ten, or twelve being provided.

The school principal, Allison Burdon, stated that students were treated for skin irritations from being splashed by a substance and were being monitored. Most students were able to continue with their kapa haka event at Te Papa.

How it developed

• Wed 4 Nov, 4:01pmPrincipal Allison Burdon confirmed students were treated for skin irritations and were being monitored in an ED ward.

Where reports differ

• Reports disagree on whether a fire occurred, with the school and officials stating it was a mechanical failure involving fumes or a burst hose rather than a fire.
• The number of students taken to hospital is reported as nine, ten, or twelve.

Compiled from reports by 1News, Stuff, NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.