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Tour bus driver involved in fatal NZ crash sentenced to home detention
The driver of a fatal New Zealand tour bus crash has avoided prison.
Zhang Junwei was sentenced to four and a half months’ home detention and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
He was at the wheel when it flipped over on the State Highway near Rotorua, killing five people.
Four adults and a young child were killed and several other passengers were injured.
The bus was carrying 27 Chinese nationals when in crashed in strong winds.
Although the wind conditions were a factor, Zhang’s driving was also to blame, the court heard.
"When the rear of the bus began to drift, the defendant over corrected which caused the rear of the bus to swing right into the opposing lane and rotate 180 degrees," the sentencing summary said.
"As the bus slid off the road, the rear passengers were jolted right, causing five passengers to be propelled out of the right hand rear windows."
Zhang was also ordered to pay NZ$1,000 to each of the victims or their families.
Through his lawyer he admitted he was at fault.
"He accepts that he failed to drive well."
"Your vigilance in terms of driving should have been heightened. A stern message is required to remind those driving in a professional capacity a higher standard is expected," Judge Marie McKenzie said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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