UPDATE: PORT Macquarie Base Hospital has confirmed 37 patients were admitted for assessment following Tuesday afternoon's bus crash on Hastings River Drive.
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Tuesday, 7.40pm:
A spokesman for Port Macquarie Base Hospital said triple triage was required to treat 37 patients through the hospital's emergency department.
The hospital's general manager and network coordinator, Robert Pegram, said extra staff were called into the hospital to assist throughout the afternoon and evening.
"We had to mobilise triple triage, which means we bring in three times the number of staff for the patients," Dr Pegram said.
Nursing and medical personnel were involved in treatment in the acute wards, while social workers and other staff contacted the family of patients.
The gargantuan task did not daunt those waiting to assist at the hospital, Dr Pegram said.
"The training kicks in and the staff just mobilise," he said.
"We're lucky because we have exceptional staff who are always ready to go.
"I am honestly the conductor of a truly skilled and talented orchestra."
Tuesday, 5pm:
A spokesperson for Busways has confirmed the school bus involved was Bus 35 (the bus is however marked School Bus 38).
The spokesperson said nine people including the driver were transported to hospital by ambulance, and a further 25 children were taken via bus to hospital for precautionary assessment.
Tuesday, 4.40pm:
Ambulance officers on the scene have confirmed that six children have been taken to hospital including the bus driver.
While two children were transported to hospital on spinal boards, police media reports confirm the injuries sustained are not life-threatening.
Hastings River Drive remains closed to traffic.
It is understood all parents are being contacted by telephone.
Busways has not yet confirmed the number of the school bus.
Tuesday, 4.30pm:
CHILDREN are being treated on the side of the road, after a school bus smashed on to its side and into a gully in Port Macquarie this afternoon.
The Port News can confirm the accident has occurred on the corner of Hastings River Drive and Willow Crescent.
Ambulance and State Emergency Services have set up a triage on the edge of Hastings River Drive, where half a dozen or more kids are receiving treatment.
At this stage, the extent of their injuries are unknown, but they appear to be minor.
Police, Ambulance Paramedics and State Emergency Service vehicles are on the scene.
Traffic has come to a stand-still on both sides of Hastings River Drive.
The Port News advises motorists to avoid the area.
Busways has not yet confirmed the bus number.
Tuesday, 3.45pm:
Police have confirmed a school bus accident has occurred at Fernbank Creek Road on Hastings River Drive this afternoon.
Police and ambulance are currently on the scene. There are no reports of serious injury but several students are receiving treatment.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area while the road is closed.
More news as it comes to hand.
Additional reporting: Tracey Fairhurst, Mel Pretorius
