29 Dec 2016

Support continues for survivors of tragic bus crash

8:16 pm on 29 December 2016

Support continues to pour in for the survivors of a tragic bus crash that left two people dead and others injured in Gisborne, New Zealand.

Kristina Williams posted this picture to the Givealittle page she has set up to raise money to help the survivors of the Christmas Eve bus crash.

Kristina Williams posted this picture to the Givealittle page she has set up to raise money to help the survivors of the Christmas Eve bus crash. Photo: Supplied

There were 53 people on board the bus when it went through a barrier on State Highway Two, south of Gisborne, and careered 100m down a bank. 29 people were taken to hospital.

The bus was full of students from Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College on Vava'u who were on a four-week tour of New Zealand.

They were raising funds for a school celebration in July.

The Tonga Broadcasting Corporation reports that Air New Zealand has offered free - of -charge seats for the survivors, from Gisborne to Auckland.

Meanwhile large business houses and smaller super markets have provided vouchers and food to the survivors on a daily basis.

The crash killed Sione Taumololo, 11, and Talita Fifita, 33.

Sione Taumalolo, 11 died along with Talita Fifita, 33 in the bus crash near Gisborne on Christmas Eve.

Sione Taumalolo, 11 died along with Talita Fifita, 33 in the bus crash near Gisborne on Christmas Eve. Photo: Supplied

The post mortem for the two deceased was conducted at Rotorua.

It is understood a service will be held tonight at the Ponsonby church, for families and friends to bid farewell, ahead of the repatriation of the bodies to Nuku'alofa on Saturday.

The Tongan College's Brass Band played for the first time since the incident in Gisborne last night raising more than $US 17,000.

Meanwhile a give-a-little page established to raise funds for the victims has so far collected $US 16,000.

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