A coroner has called for refreshers on school bus safety after a child was killed while crossing SH1 in Northland.

Hinerangi Moana Iese, 12, was hit by a truck when she attempted to cross the road around 3pm on November 1, 2019.

Normally when she was let off the bus she walked home on the same side of the road, but a coroner’s report stated for “unknown reasons” she walked to the back of the bus and attempted to cross over.

As Hinerangi hopped off the bus a large truck and trailer went by, slowing to 10km as it passed. The bus driver waved the truck on and as it rounded the corner another truck and trailer travelled on the northbound lane at 80km.

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The driver of the second truck couldn’t see the school bus as it was obscured by the first, coroner Alexander Ho said, and at that point, Hinerangi ran across the southbound lane and into the northbound lane in front of the second truck.

The driver was unable to brake in time to stop from crashing into her and while Hinerangi was conscious at the scene of the crash she died on her way to hospital.

Ho said before Hinerangi’s death a child hadn’t been killed in a school bus related accident since 2010.

Hinerangi’s mother Tekapu McCormack said, although it had been over two years, it was still “unbelievable” her daughter wasn’t here.

“I love talking about her so her memory lives on. I know other family members and friends struggle with it.

“Her friends send me pictures of her grave site as I’m in Australia and don’t get the opportunity to see her, it warms my heart.”

In Ho’s findings he said one thing that might help prevent future accidents was educating children and reminding them of the role they played in school bus safety.

“I’m advised campaigns are delivered in school at the beginning of the year. However, the beginning of the year can be an exciting and unsettled time for many children.

“The lessons may be absorbed only temporarily. I recommend particularly in rural areas, refreshers on school bus safety be delivered at least every six months.”

Ho also recommended posters reminding children of school bus safety principles, such as not crossing the road without a parent or guardian present, be put in prominent places within schools.

“School bus safety might also be a useful unit studies topic for children to explore as part of their curriculum,” Ho said.

The Ministry of Education told Ho it “broadly supported” an educative approach to improving student safety.

“While school bus safety and road safety are not currently part of the New Zealand curriculum, schools and kura are encouraged to emphasise the importance of these topics.”

Ho said it was “regrettable” that there was little in the ministry’s response to indicate actual “proactive” work was being done in the space.

“The impression I received was that any specific education being delivered on this topic is due to the initiative of individual schools rather than the result of any national co-ordinated approach.”

Ho was also “troubled” by the fact vehicles only had to slow to 20km when passing or meeting a stationary school bus.

“As Hinerangi’s death illustrates, there’s likely to be a short period, after the bus starts moving, where children are still near the road.

“Under current rules, because the bus is no longer stopped, there’s no requirement for vehicles to slow. Because of where a school bus might stop or due to other traffic, it may not be possible for vehicles to see it until it is too late to slow down.

“A ‘perfect world’ solution would be to ensure other motorists were aware in advance of a stopped bus, but responses I received from Waka Kotahi NZTA and the Ministry of Transport indicate they don’t regard such a solution practical.”