Child hit by car while stepping out from the school bus to cross the road

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

An almost fatal collision where a child was struck by a car getting off a school bus in the Bay of Plenty has prompted a warning from police. 

The nine-year-old boy was hit by an oncoming car in Ruatoki about 3.15pm on Tuesday. 

The school bus had pulled over to drop the boy off on Ngahina Rd. 

As he stepped out from the back of the bus to cross the road he was struck by an oncoming car, Sergeant Ray Wylie, Bay of Plenty road policing team, said. 

'Thankfully the young boy had minor injuries, but this could have easily been a fatal crash,' Wylie said. 

'This is a timely reminder for people to slow down and stay alert to ensure our young people get to and from school safely.'

All motorists must slow down to 20kmh when passing a stopped school bus, he said. 

'Drivers need to be ready and able to stop when driving around children.

'Please make sure you are doing your part in keeping our kids safe by driving to the conditions, reducing your speed and staying alert,' said Wylie.

Police enquiries into the crash are ongoing.