By Janika ter Ellen
A Wellington bus company director is in intensive care after stepping out in front of one of his own buses.
It is the latest in a string of accidents involving buses and pedestrians since roading changes were made in the central city nearly two years ago.
Tim Brown, NZ Bus director, was hit by the bus as he stepped onto Willis Street yesterday.
Passenger Graeme McCready says he heard three loud bumps when Mr Brown was hit.
“I came out of the bus and he was lying between the two back wheels of the bus, and there was a crowd trying to pull us out,” says Mr McCready.
Mr Brown is at Wellington Hospital with serious head injuries and a punctured lung.
Police say it appears he walked onto the road without looking into the path of the bus, which was travelling below the speed limit.
Ministry of Transport figures show there were at least 11 crashes involving buses and pedestrians in Wellington last year. The city council is conducting research on pedestrian behaviour, and will publish the findings next month.
It is also looking at installing more public seats on the roadside to deter people from crossing.
Fifty-five per cent of the capital's population catch public transport, walk or cycle to work, which is about three times higher than the average across other New Zealand cities.
With so many pedestrians on the streets, keeping them safe is an ongoing battle.
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