Support for Tongan RSE workers involved in a serious bus accident bound for Hawke’s Bay

“These were 30 Tongans who arrived as part of a force coming into Hawke’s Bay to support the apple industry with thinning efforts.”

He said of the 30 workers, 21 eventually arrived in Hawke’s Bay on Sunday afternoon and another five later in the evening.

“We still have the four employees in hospital, they are stable, but will be reassessed today and we will continue to monitor that.”

Jones said many of the Tongan workers who came in groups had an average of five years of service and would be coming to the country for the second or third time.

Jones said workers would start work this week with a bank launch on Monday.

“We will have discussions about what they would like to do and how they feel – obviously we will be very careful in that space.”

Jones said the details of the crash were a separate investigation and he expected to learn more over time.

Bus accident Sunday

Hato Hone St John was notified of the crash on Broadlands Rd at 7.30am and responded with four ambulances, two helicopters, a rapid response unit, a manager and four clinical support units and a MIST (Major Incident Support Team) unit to the scene . .

Thirty-one people were assessed and treated. Twelve had to be transported to various hospitals. Five people were transported by ambulance to Taupo Hospital in a minor condition.

One in a mild condition, three in a moderate condition and one in a serious condition were transported by ambulance to Rotorua Hospital.

One in a moderate condition and one in a serious condition were flown to Waikato Hospital. Nineteen were unharmed.