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Source: ONE News -
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The driver of a logging truck which crashed into a school bus near Whakatane, injuring 16 students, has been charged with dangerous driving causing injury.
The bus was taking students home from Taneatua School, Whakatane High School and nearby Trident High School when it crashed with a logging truck last September.
The 42-year-old truck driver was hospitalised after the crash, as was his nephew, who was a passenger on the bus, and 15 other students.
An investigation into the crash was completed late last year and reviewed by the District Road Policing Manager.
Inspector Kevin Taylor from Bay of Plenty police says the investigation has determined that the crash was caused by the driver of the logging truck, when he failed to stop short or manoeuvre around the school bus as that bus was pulling over to let children off.
"This was a very serious crash - one of the worst and most upsetting, in terms of the number of young victims, that had ever been attended by many of our police staff and other emergency services," he said.
"In order to do justice to the victims and their whänau, their schools, the local community and transport users around New Zealand, it was absolutely critical that the investigation was thorough and robust and this process simply takes time to be done properly."
The truck driver, from the eastern Bay of Plenty, will appear in the Whakatane District Court on February 23.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. Other penalties include a loss of licence and a $20,000 fine.
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