An 11-year-old girl has been killed in a catastrophic bus crash after the vehicle’s brakes failed, causing it to hurtle out of control down a mountain road.
Hannah Teresa Francis was riding on a Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bus from the popular Tūroa ski resort on Mt Ruapehu – an active volcano in the centre of New Zealand’s north island – when the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.
One of the 31 passengers on board, Fenella Murphy, later recalled that there was a ‘funny noise’ every time the driver stepped on the brakes, and said they ‘prepared for the worst’ as the vehicle sped downhill.
Hannah Teresa Francis (pictured), 11, was killed in a catastrophic bus crash after the vehicle’s brakes failed, causing it to hurtle out of control down a mountain road on New Zealand’s north island
One of the 31 passengers on board, Fenella Murphy, later recalled that there was a ‘funny noise’ every time the driver stepped on the brakes, and said they ‘prepared for the worst’ as the vehicle sped downhill
The bus eventually overturned on Ohakune Mountain Rd, violently crashing and throwing passengers out onto the road, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Young Hannah died on her way to Waikato Hospital.
The child’s parents, Michelle Bruton and Matt Francis, penned a heartfelt tribute to their daughter on Monday, describing her as an an ’empathetic, kind-hearted, beautiful child who wouldn’t hurt a fly’.
‘She was loved by everyone she met and left a lasting impression,’ they said in a statement. ‘Her sister Charlotte and step-brothers Josh and Caleb all loved her dearly and will be lost without her… Fly free our beautiful angel.’
The bus eventually overturned on Ohakune Mountain Rd, violently crashing and throwing passengers out onto the road
Young Hannah died on her way to Waikato Hospital. Her parents penned a heartfelt tribute on Monday, describing her as an ’empathetic, kind-hearted, beautiful child who wouldn’t hurt a fly’
Bruton and Francis said they were still struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.
Four passengers suffered moderate or serious injuries as a result of the crash.
Police are now urging any passengers or witnesses who have not yet spoken to them to do so.
The bus was travelling from from the popular Tūroa ski resort (pictured) on Mt Ruapehu – an active volcano in the centre of New Zealand’s north island – when the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon