Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Tragedy for passengers on Celebrity cruise line’s Solstice liner during excursion near South Island town of Akaroa

TOURISTS aboard a luxury cruise ship packed with Brits have been caught up in a tragedy in Fresh Zealand today.

At least two people are fighting for their lives and five more are earnestly injured after their coach collided with a car during a day tour to the country’s South Island.

The coach was carrying people travelling on the Celebrity cruise line's Solstice liner who were loving an excursion in the beautiful hills near Christchurch.

The bus slammed into a car on a twisting open up of road winding through the mountain range near the coastal town of Akaroa where the Solstice had docked for the day.

The coach was sent careering off 100ft down a steep embankment into the undergrowth.

Motorists who were very first on the scene scrambled down the bank to help the injured from the mangled wreckage as trapped tourists screamed for help.

It is now understood that none of those hurt were British, after the cruise company confirmed all six earnestly injured passengers were American nationals.

The bus driver was also among those hurt in the crash.

Passengers – some paying almost £20,000 for luxury suites aboard the ship – had been taken ashore this morning for various excursions on a fleet of coaches.

The horror crash happened as the coaches were returning to Akaroa, where a fleet of petite boats was lined up to ferry them back to the ship.

Were you on board the ship? Do you know anyone involved in the crash?

The liner had been due to set sail to its next port of call, Dunedin, at 7pm local time – 6am UK time.

But as news of the tragedy filtered through, the captain announced that the sailing was to be delayed.

Passengers on board the Solstice sat in stunned muffle as they anxiously awaited news on their friends.

Many British passengers rushed to email and phone relatives back home in the UK to reassure them they were safe.

One UK passenger who asked not to be named said: “Everyone is in shock – many of us had been on the coach trips that were laid on to take us to places like Christchurch when the ship moored at Akaroa this morning.

“People had a lovely day – the weather was hot and sunny – and we all got back on board the boat ready to love our evening dinner when the news came through.

“We are all in a state of shock and the news about the victims doesn't sound good.

“We have been told that six people are in hospital and they are very earnestly injured. We are all asking for them and hoping they pull through.

“I don't know if any of them are British but there are fountains of people from the UK on board the ship and many would have been among people making the coach excursions ashore today.

“People had been looking forward to this holiday for months – for this to happen is dreadful.”

Related stories

SITTING DUCKS

TERROR IN THAILAND

DEATH CAMP BUS SMASH

BUS CRASH HORROR

CHILD HURT IN HORROR SMASH

BLACK MARKET BONANZA

The Solstice – presently touring Fresh Zealand and Australia – left Auckland after picking up passengers last week.

Its very first port of call was Tarangua, where many passengers took coach trips to see where the Hobbit houses were built for the Lord of the Rings films.

It then sailed on to Napier and Wellington, arriving in Akaroa today.

The passage through the mountains to Akaroa from Christchurch features perilous hairpin leans where there is hardly enough room for two cars to pass each other.

The bus, carrying more than two dozen passengers from the cruise ship, collided with a car on the winding road.

Reports said the coach careered off down a steep bank and ended up in the undergrowth just after 5pm local time.

St John Ambulance Controller Sean Lester said the two people fighting for their lives have been rushed to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.

Another with serious injuries was also transferred to hospital by chopper, while four people earnestly hurt and one person with moderate injuries were taken by ambulance.

The remaining twenty six occupants of the vehicles involved – who either had minor injuries or escaped unscathed – had boarded a different bus, Lester said.

They were taken to Akaroa Fire Station for further assessment by paramedics.

Firefighters had to cut at least one person from the car and the bus driver out of the wreckage, Fairfax reported.

Three fire engines, at least four ambulances and at least one police car attended the scene.

Senior Sergeant Vaughn Lapslie, of Christchurch Police, said there were thirty two people on the bus at the time.

A staff member at the nearby Hilltop Tavern said he took water to the victims.

Camera operator Matthew Simons said he could see the bus about 160ft down the embankment and a blue wagon-like Toyota on the road.

Simons said he believed he'd seen one of the bus passengers emerging but was uncertain.

There was “a entire heap of firefighters working around the bus”.

Firefighters had to use cutting implements to open the roof of the puny, light blue car.

Debris from the smash was sprayed across the road and the front of the car was mangled.

Lumps of the car were left lined up on the side of the road, resting on a bank.

Photos from the scene also showcased the wreckage of the bus lounging on its side among the foliage.

People could be seen scrambling to get to the bus to help those trapped inwards.

A crowd gathered at the police cordon around the next arch in the road, where three white buses and several cars were pulled over.

A worker at the Hilltop Tavern said the crash happened just around the corner from the bar but said he couldn't see the scene from where he was.

A customer told him numerous people were injured.

He said: “The hill is steep and if a bus went down there, it would be of concern.”

The Christchurch-Akaroa Rd is now closed inbetween Summit Rd and Barry's Bay Rd, with cops re-directing motorists.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit and the Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Cruises told The Sun Online: “A bus transporting thirty one guests from Celebrity Solstice in Akaroa on twenty two February two thousand seventeen has been involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle.

“Six guests, all from the USA, sustained injuries and have been transported to the local hospital in Christchurch for instant treatment, as have the drivers of both vehicles.

“Celebrity Cruises has dispatched members of its Care Team to suggest instantaneous support and assistance to the guests.

“All other guests have returned to the ship. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and we hope for their speedy recovery.”

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Tragedy for passengers on Celebrity cruise line’s Solstice liner during excursion near South Island town of Akaroa

TOURISTS aboard a luxury cruise ship packed with Brits have been caught up in a tragedy in Fresh Zealand today.

At least two people are fighting for their lives and five more are gravely injured after their coach collided with a car during a day journey to the country’s South Island.

The coach was carrying people travelling on the Celebrity cruise line's Solstice liner who were liking an excursion in the beautiful hills near Christchurch.

The bus slammed into a car on a twisting open up of road winding through the mountain range near the coastal town of Akaroa where the Solstice had docked for the day.

The coach was sent careering off 100ft down a steep embankment into the undergrowth.

Motorists who were very first on the scene scrambled down the bank to help the injured from the mangled wreckage as trapped tourists screamed for help.

It is now understood that none of those hurt were British, after the cruise company confirmed all six gravely injured passengers were American nationals.

The bus driver was also among those hurt in the crash.

Passengers – some paying almost £20,000 for luxury suites aboard the ship – had been taken ashore this morning for various excursions on a fleet of coaches.

The horror crash happened as the coaches were returning to Akaroa, where a fleet of petite boats was lined up to ferry them back to the ship.

Were you on board the ship? Do you know anyone involved in the crash?

The liner had been due to set sail to its next port of call, Dunedin, at 7pm local time – 6am UK time.

But as news of the tragedy filtered through, the captain announced that the sailing was to be delayed.

Passengers on board the Solstice sat in stunned muffle as they anxiously awaited news on their friends.

Many British passengers rushed to email and phone relatives back home in the UK to reassure them they were safe.

One UK passenger who asked not to be named said: “Everyone is in shock – many of us had been on the coach trips that were laid on to take us to places like Christchurch when the ship moored at Akaroa this morning.

“People had a lovely day – the weather was hot and sunny – and we all got back on board the boat ready to love our evening dinner when the news came through.

“We are all in a state of shock and the news about the victims doesn't sound good.

“We have been told that six people are in hospital and they are very gravely injured. We are all pleading for them and hoping they pull through.

“I don't know if any of them are British but there are fountains of people from the UK on board the ship and many would have been among people making the coach excursions ashore today.

“People had been looking forward to this holiday for months – for this to happen is dreadful.”

Related stories

SITTING DUCKS

TERROR IN THAILAND

DEATH CAMP BUS SMASH

BUS CRASH HORROR

CHILD HURT IN HORROR SMASH

BLACK MARKET BONANZA

The Solstice – presently touring Fresh Zealand and Australia – left Auckland after picking up passengers last week.

Its very first port of call was Tarangua, where many passengers took coach trips to see where the Hobbit houses were built for the Lord of the Rings films.

It then sailed on to Napier and Wellington, arriving in Akaroa today.

The passage through the mountains to Akaroa from Christchurch features perilous hairpin leans where there is hardly enough room for two cars to pass each other.

The bus, carrying more than two dozen passengers from the cruise ship, collided with a car on the winding road.

Reports said the coach careered off down a steep bank and ended up in the undergrowth just after 5pm local time.

St John Ambulance Controller Sean Lester said the two people fighting for their lives have been rushed to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.

Another with serious injuries was also transferred to hospital by chopper, while four people earnestly hurt and one person with moderate injuries were taken by ambulance.

The remaining twenty six occupants of the vehicles involved – who either had minor injuries or escaped unscathed – had boarded a different bus, Lester said.

They were taken to Akaroa Fire Station for further assessment by paramedics.

Firefighters had to cut at least one person from the car and the bus driver out of the wreckage, Fairfax reported.

Three fire engines, at least four ambulances and at least one police car attended the scene.

Senior Sergeant Vaughn Lapslie, of Christchurch Police, said there were thirty two people on the bus at the time.

A staff member at the nearby Hilltop Tavern said he took water to the victims.

Camera operator Matthew Simons said he could see the bus about 160ft down the embankment and a blue wagon-like Toyota on the road.

Simons said he believed he'd seen one of the bus passengers emerging but was unassured.

There was “a entire heap of firefighters working around the bus”.

Firefighters had to use cutting instruments to open the roof of the petite, light blue car.

Debris from the smash was sprayed across the road and the front of the car was mangled.

Chunks of the car were left lined up on the side of the road, resting on a bank.

Photos from the scene also showcased the wreckage of the bus lounging on its side among the foliage.

People could be seen scrambling to get to the bus to help those trapped inwards.

A crowd gathered at the police cordon around the next arch in the road, where three white buses and several cars were pulled over.

A worker at the Hilltop Tavern said the crash happened just around the corner from the bar but said he couldn't see the scene from where he was.

A customer told him numerous people were injured.

He said: “The hill is steep and if a bus went down there, it would be of concern.”

The Christchurch-Akaroa Rd is now closed inbetween Summit Rd and Barry's Bay Rd, with cops re-directing motorists.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit and the Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Cruises told The Sun Online: “A bus transporting thirty one guests from Celebrity Solstice in Akaroa on twenty two February two thousand seventeen has been involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle.

“Six guests, all from the USA, sustained injuries and have been transported to the local hospital in Christchurch for instantaneous treatment, as have the drivers of both vehicles.

“Celebrity Cruises has dispatched members of its Care Team to suggest instantaneous support and assistance to the guests.

“All other guests have returned to the ship. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and we hope for their speedy recovery.”

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Tragedy for passengers on Celebrity cruise line’s Solstice liner during excursion near South Island town of Akaroa

TOURISTS aboard a luxury cruise ship packed with Brits have been caught up in a tragedy in Fresh Zealand today.

At least two people are fighting for their lives and five more are earnestly injured after their coach collided with a car during a day journey to the country’s South Island.

The coach was carrying people travelling on the Celebrity cruise line's Solstice liner who were loving an excursion in the beautiful hills near Christchurch.

The bus slammed into a car on a twisting open up of road winding through the mountain range near the coastal town of Akaroa where the Solstice had docked for the day.

The coach was sent careering off 100ft down a steep embankment into the undergrowth.

Motorists who were very first on the scene scrambled down the bank to help the injured from the mangled wreckage as trapped tourists screamed for help.

It is now understood that none of those hurt were British, after the cruise company confirmed all six gravely injured passengers were American nationals.

The bus driver was also among those hurt in the crash.

Passengers – some paying almost £20,000 for luxury suites aboard the ship – had been taken ashore this morning for various excursions on a fleet of coaches.

The horror crash happened as the coaches were returning to Akaroa, where a fleet of puny boats was lined up to ferry them back to the ship.

Were you on board the ship? Do you know anyone involved in the crash?

The liner had been due to set sail to its next port of call, Dunedin, at 7pm local time – 6am UK time.

But as news of the tragedy filtered through, the captain announced that the sailing was to be delayed.

Passengers on board the Solstice sat in stunned muffle as they anxiously awaited news on their friends.

Many British passengers rushed to email and phone relatives back home in the UK to reassure them they were safe.

One UK passenger who asked not to be named said: “Everyone is in shock – many of us had been on the coach trips that were laid on to take us to places like Christchurch when the ship moored at Akaroa this morning.

“People had a lovely day – the weather was hot and sunny – and we all got back on board the boat ready to love our evening dinner when the news came through.

“We are all in a state of shock and the news about the victims doesn't sound good.

“We have been told that six people are in hospital and they are very gravely injured. We are all begging for them and hoping they pull through.

“I don't know if any of them are British but there are fountains of people from the UK on board the ship and many would have been among people making the coach excursions ashore today.

“People had been looking forward to this holiday for months – for this to happen is dreadful.”

Related stories

SITTING DUCKS

TERROR IN THAILAND

DEATH CAMP BUS SMASH

BUS CRASH HORROR

CHILD HURT IN HORROR SMASH

BLACK MARKET BONANZA

The Solstice – presently touring Fresh Zealand and Australia – left Auckland after picking up passengers last week.

Its very first port of call was Tarangua, where many passengers took coach trips to see where the Hobbit houses were built for the Lord of the Rings films.

It then sailed on to Napier and Wellington, arriving in Akaroa today.

The passage through the mountains to Akaroa from Christchurch features perilous hairpin leans where there is hardly enough room for two cars to pass each other.

The bus, carrying more than two dozen passengers from the cruise ship, collided with a car on the winding road.

Reports said the coach careered off down a steep bank and ended up in the undergrowth just after 5pm local time.

St John Ambulance Controller Sean Lester said the two people fighting for their lives have been rushed to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.

Another with serious injuries was also transferred to hospital by chopper, while four people earnestly hurt and one person with moderate injuries were taken by ambulance.

The remaining twenty six occupants of the vehicles involved – who either had minor injuries or escaped unscathed – had boarded a different bus, Lester said.

They were taken to Akaroa Fire Station for further assessment by paramedics.

Firefighters had to cut at least one person from the car and the bus driver out of the wreckage, Fairfax reported.

Three fire engines, at least four ambulances and at least one police car attended the scene.

Senior Sergeant Vaughn Lapslie, of Christchurch Police, said there were thirty two people on the bus at the time.

A staff member at the nearby Hilltop Tavern said he took water to the victims.

Camera operator Matthew Simons said he could see the bus about 160ft down the embankment and a blue wagon-like Toyota on the road.

Simons said he believed he'd seen one of the bus passengers emerging but was uncertain.

There was “a entire heap of firefighters working around the bus”.

Firefighters had to use cutting contraptions to open the roof of the puny, light blue car.

Debris from the smash was sprayed across the road and the front of the car was mangled.

Chunks of the car were left lined up on the side of the road, resting on a bank.

Photos from the scene also demonstrated the wreckage of the bus lounging on its side among the foliage.

People could be seen scrambling to get to the bus to help those trapped inwards.

A crowd gathered at the police cordon around the next arch in the road, where three white buses and several cars were pulled over.

A worker at the Hilltop Tavern said the crash happened just around the corner from the bar but said he couldn't see the scene from where he was.

A customer told him numerous people were injured.

He said: “The hill is steep and if a bus went down there, it would be of concern.”

The Christchurch-Akaroa Rd is now closed inbetween Summit Rd and Barry's Bay Rd, with cops re-directing motorists.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit and the Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Cruises told The Sun Online: “A bus transporting thirty one guests from Celebrity Solstice in Akaroa on twenty two February two thousand seventeen has been involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle.

“Six guests, all from the USA, sustained injuries and have been transported to the local hospital in Christchurch for instant treatment, as have the drivers of both vehicles.

“Celebrity Cruises has dispatched members of its Care Team to suggest instantaneous support and assistance to the guests.

“All other guests have returned to the ship. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and we hope for their speedy recovery.”

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Fresh Zealand crash victims left fighting for lives after bus carrying tourists from luxury cruise packed with Brits takes 100ft horror plunge

Tragedy for passengers on Celebrity cruise line’s Solstice liner during excursion near South Island town of Akaroa

TOURISTS aboard a luxury cruise ship packed with Brits have been caught up in a tragedy in Fresh Zealand today.

At least two people are fighting for their lives and five more are gravely injured after their coach collided with a car during a day excursion to the country’s South Island.

The coach was carrying people travelling on the Celebrity cruise line's Solstice liner who were liking an excursion in the beautiful hills near Christchurch.

The bus slammed into a car on a twisting spread of road winding through the mountain range near the coastal town of Akaroa where the Solstice had docked for the day.

The coach was sent careering off 100ft down a steep embankment into the undergrowth.

Motorists who were very first on the scene scrambled down the bank to help the injured from the mangled wreckage as trapped tourists screamed for help.

It is now understood that none of those hurt were British, after the cruise company confirmed all six earnestly injured passengers were American nationals.

The bus driver was also among those hurt in the crash.

Passengers – some paying almost £20,000 for luxury suites aboard the ship – had been taken ashore this morning for various excursions on a fleet of coaches.

The horror crash happened as the coaches were returning to Akaroa, where a fleet of puny boats was lined up to ferry them back to the ship.

Were you on board the ship? Do you know anyone involved in the crash?

The liner had been due to set sail to its next port of call, Dunedin, at 7pm local time – 6am UK time.

But as news of the tragedy filtered through, the captain announced that the sailing was to be delayed.

Passengers on board the Solstice sat in stunned muffle as they anxiously awaited news on their friends.

Many British passengers rushed to email and phone relatives back home in the UK to reassure them they were safe.

One UK passenger who asked not to be named said: “Everyone is in shock – many of us had been on the coach trips that were laid on to take us to places like Christchurch when the ship moored at Akaroa this morning.

“People had a lovely day – the weather was hot and sunny – and we all got back on board the boat ready to love our evening dinner when the news came through.

“We are all in a state of shock and the news about the victims doesn't sound good.

“We have been told that six people are in hospital and they are very gravely injured. We are all begging for them and hoping they pull through.

“I don't know if any of them are British but there are explosions of people from the UK on board the ship and many would have been among people making the coach excursions ashore today.

“People had been looking forward to this holiday for months – for this to happen is dreadful.”

Related stories

SITTING DUCKS

TERROR IN THAILAND

DEATH CAMP BUS SMASH

BUS CRASH HORROR

CHILD HURT IN HORROR SMASH

BLACK MARKET BONANZA

The Solstice – presently touring Fresh Zealand and Australia – left Auckland after picking up passengers last week.

Its very first port of call was Tarangua, where many passengers took coach trips to see where the Hobbit houses were built for the Lord of the Rings films.

It then sailed on to Napier and Wellington, arriving in Akaroa today.

The passage through the mountains to Akaroa from Christchurch features perilous hairpin arches where there is scarcely enough room for two cars to pass each other.

The bus, carrying more than two dozen passengers from the cruise ship, collided with a car on the winding road.

Reports said the coach careered off down a steep bank and ended up in the undergrowth just after 5pm local time.

St John Ambulance Controller Sean Lester said the two people fighting for their lives have been rushed to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.

Another with serious injuries was also transferred to hospital by chopper, while four people earnestly hurt and one person with moderate injuries were taken by ambulance.

The remaining twenty six occupants of the vehicles involved – who either had minor injuries or escaped unscathed – had boarded a different bus, Lester said.

They were taken to Akaroa Fire Station for further assessment by paramedics.

Firefighters had to cut at least one person from the car and the bus driver out of the wreckage, Fairfax reported.

Three fire engines, at least four ambulances and at least one police car attended the scene.

Senior Sergeant Vaughn Lapslie, of Christchurch Police, said there were thirty two people on the bus at the time.

A staff member at the nearby Hilltop Tavern said he took water to the victims.

Camera operator Matthew Simons said he could see the bus about 160ft down the embankment and a blue wagon-like Toyota on the road.

Simons said he believed he'd seen one of the bus passengers emerging but was uncertain.

There was “a entire heap of firefighters working around the bus”.

Firefighters had to use cutting implements to open the roof of the puny, light blue car.

Debris from the smash was splashed across the road and the front of the car was mangled.

Chunks of the car were left lined up on the side of the road, resting on a bank.

Photos from the scene also displayed the wreckage of the bus lounging on its side among the foliage.

People could be seen scrambling to get to the bus to help those trapped inwards.

A crowd gathered at the police cordon around the next arch in the road, where three white buses and several cars were pulled over.

A worker at the Hilltop Tavern said the crash happened just around the corner from the bar but said he couldn't see the scene from where he was.

A customer told him numerous people were injured.

He said: “The hill is steep and if a bus went down there, it would be of concern.”

The Christchurch-Akaroa Rd is now closed inbetween Summit Rd and Barry's Bay Rd, with cops re-directing motorists.

The Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit and the Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Cruises told The Sun Online: “A bus transporting thirty one guests from Celebrity Solstice in Akaroa on twenty two February two thousand seventeen has been involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle.

“Six guests, all from the USA, sustained injuries and have been transported to the local hospital in Christchurch for instant treatment, as have the drivers of both vehicles.

“Celebrity Cruises has dispatched members of its Care Team to suggest instantaneous support and assistance to the guests.

“All other guests have returned to the ship. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and we hope for their speedy recovery.”

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