The public transport industry is reeling after the tragic death of an elderly woman.
The woman, aged 74, was trying to hand in a lost wallet on Friday, when she fell down the stairs of a double-decker bus in Auckland.
"The woman, aged 74, was on the bus at around 10:30am when she noticed that a wallet had been left behind by a previous passenger and had gone downstairs to give it to the driver," Waitemata Police Acting Senior Sergeant Nick Herd said.
Public Transport Users Association coordinator, Jon Reeves, says it's a horrifying incident.
"Passengers on that bus probably are not feeling so well at the moment. I'm sure there will be some counselling required," he told Newshub.
Mr Reeves says able-bodied passengers should always move upstairs to clear room on the lower level.
An investigation is now underway. Auckland Transport said it will assist in that, and "any other inquiries or investigations in any way it can". The matter has been referred to both the Coroner and WorkSafe New Zealand.
"Police have made a number of enquiries into the woman's death and there are no suspicious circumstances," Acting Snr Sgt Herd said.
"This was an absolute tragedy for this woman's family and our deepest sympathies are with them during this difficult time."
Newshub.
