Parts of the tree which fell from the Pirie Street entrance hit the windscreen of the eastbound bus. Photo: Supplied / Wellington City Council
Part of a tree which fell from a tunnel entrance in Wellington has smashed the windscreen of a bus, forcing the closure of the tunnel.
Earlier this evening it was thought a piece of the Mt Victoria bus tunnel had fallen and damaged the vehicle from inside.
The incident happened around 4pm this afternoon inside the bus-only tunnel under Mt Victoria.
All bus services to the eastern suburbs have been diverted through the other Mt Victoria tunnel.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said there were no reports of any injuries.
The extent of the damage was so far unclear, he said.
"What we know that some masonry or other objects have come off either the side or the roof of the tunnel and landed or damaged the bus.
"Details are pretty sketchy, one of the issues is the bus might not have been hauled out of the tunnel just yet."
The tunnel would be closed overnight until engineers could assess the damage.
Metlink advised bus commuters in Wellington to expect delays and allow additional time for travel.
Wellington's bus-only tunnel which runs under Mt Victoria. Photo: Google Maps
