North Shore Police are investigating an incident at Rangitoto College in which five female students have been seriously injured.
The incident happened at 11.30am this morning Tuesday 27 June 2006 when a bus loaded with College students accelerated as it was making its departure manoeuvres.
The bus mounted the footpath and seriously injured five female students before coming to rest a short distance away. The five students were in a large group from the College who were sitting on the footpath.
When NZPOL arrived at the scene they found the FIVE fourth form students lying injured on the ground.
It has now been established that THREE of the girls are 14 years of age, and the TWO other girls are 15 years of age.
All are in Auckland's Starship Hospital tonight with serious injuries, abrasions and lacerations. Some of the girls have internal injuries.
No names have been released. Several ambulances attended at the scene and took the five female students to hospital.
The bus has been impounded for mechanical inspection and examination by specialists. Police say the bus driver has been severely shaken by the incident.
Police will return to Rangitoto College to continue their enquiries, and the bus driver will also be spoken to about the incident.
Rangitoto College which is located on the North Shore is the largest secondary school in New Zealand with 3,000 pupils enrolled.