Victims of a 2016 Christmas Eve bus crash that killed three people from Tonga say they now live with anger, lost dreams and recurring nightmares.
Bus company Ritchies is due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of other people was not put at risk - a charge laid by Worksafe.
The bus had been carrying 53 people from Tonga's Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College brass band when it plunged down a bank near Gisborne about 10.30pm.
Sione Taumalolo, 11, and Talita Moimoi, 33, died at the scene.
Sione Taumalolo, 11, died along with Talita Moimoi, 33 in the crash on Christmas Eve 2016. Photo: Supplied
Leotisia Malakai, 55, died eight days later in hospital.
Leotisia Malakai Photo: Supplied / Hepi Havea
Tevita Lokotui, who was the school's head boy, had been sleeping in the aisle of the bus because there were not enough seats. Then he heard screaming.
"I remember waking up in the bus after the crash, I managed to cut myself out ... and I was just sitting there by a tree in shock," he said.
"I was staring up into space just trying to recollect what had happened. I realised ... when I looked at my leg that it had been damaged."
Doctors eventually had to amputate his left leg just above his knee. Mr Lokotui said it had completely changed his life.
"I had a lot of goals and dreams for the future but after the accident I can't pursue those dreams anymore - especially my love for rugby," he said.
He has had to stay with family in Mangere since the crash because he needs ongoing treatment. Now 21, Mr Lokotui wonders when he will be able to return home to Tonga for good.
"I now don't have any bad feelings [towards] the driver of the bus, I understand there were issues with the bus but the driver should have stopped and asked for help," he said.
The bus driver, Talakai Aholelei, was sentenced last year to five-and-a-half months home detention and had to pay $36,000 in reparations.
"I now don't have any bad feelings [towards] the driver of the bus, I understand there were issues with the bus but the driver should have stopped and asked for help," he said.
Ritchies Bus Company is set to be sentenced. Photo: Supplied.
Saunaleva Hehepoto was also on the bus that night and said she had ongoing nightmares about what happened.
"Sometimes I jump up screaming and my husband keeps asking me what happened," she said.
At one point during the sentencing, the 66-year-old became so emotional she had to pause before reading on. Ms Hehepoto said she cried a lot about the crash.
"I always feel sad for myself and what happened. [I also] feel sad for those who have lost their lives ... and left behind their families," she said.
Worksafe and three members of Ritchies board of directors were also in court today.
The Crown and defence both made submissions about reparation to the victims and Judge June Jelas said the court would reconvene for sentencing at a later date.
