'Words cannot describe the pain': Plea to raise money for Chinese families of bus crash victims

Twenty-seven people were on the bus when it crashed.
Twenty-seven people were on the bus when it crashed. Photo credit: Westpac Rescue Helicopter

A fundraiser has been set up to help the families of the victims of a bus crash near Rotorua last week.

Five Chinese people died when the bus carrying 27 tourists rolled in South Waikato on September 4. 

"Words cannot describe the pain these families feel about the loss of their beloved ones and those injured passengers," the Givealittle page, set up by the Rotorua Chinese Community, said.

The money raised would go to the next-of-kin of the five passengers killed in the accident, as well as accommodation and food for the injured passengers once they were discharged from hospital, the page said.

So far, the page, which was created on Tuesday, has received $135 in donations. It closes on October 31.

Earlier on Tuesday, police issued a statement saying they were "very keen to hear from three potential witnesses" who may have information that could help their investigation into the crash.

One witness was the driver of a white car who was close to the scene of the crash when it occurred. 

Another person was described as a "truck driver wearing a hi-vis jacket who radioed his base for assistance and directed traffic prior to police arriving at the scene".

The third person police were seeking was the driver of a car directly behind the first car that arrived at the scene of the crash.

The three people are asked to contact Rotorua police by calling 105.

Newshub.