By 3 News online staff
Five people are being treated in hospital after a tourist bus flipped onto its side and crashed into a power pole in Te Anau this morning.
Thirty Chinese nationals were onboard the coach, which was travelling between 40 to 50kmph when it skidded on black ice.
Half of those onboard were injured and four have since been airlifted to hospital.
Worldway Travel managing director Jason Yu says support is on offer for the passengers.
“We have sent our tour managers down to Queenstown and are trying our best to know what is happening and what happened.”
A 55-year-old has chest and back injuries, a 52-year-old has chest and shoulder injuries, a nine-year-old has abdominal injuries and one woman has a fractured ankle.
The bus crash knocked out power to the local area, but it has now been restored.
Police are urging the public not to travel on roads between Mossburn and Te Anau unless absolutely necessary as the roads are treacherous because of black ice.
A grit truck has been through the area to reduce the ice on the road, and the road is now open to eastbound traffic only.
Police say it could be several hours before the road is opened fully, and urge drivers to be very cautious on Southland roads affected by wintry conditions.
There were also at least three other crashes on the Mossburn-Acton Road areas this morning.
3 News/RadioLIVE