The family of a Chinese man injured in a bus crash near Arthur's Pass on New Year's Eve has chartered a private plane to fly him home.
The man was one of 16 people injured, including two critically, after the packed 40-seater bus collided with a van and rolled near the bottom of the Otira Gorge, stopping just over a metre short of a cliff edge.
The man's family were eager to repatriate their son to China as soon as possible, and became anxious when his condition delayed this, the Canterbury DHB's acting chief executive, Mary Gordon, said.
"Once we could ensure he was well enough to be transported, we helped co-ordinate arrangements at the family's request to privately charter a plane and private medical staff necessary to accompany the patient on his flight home last Friday," she said.
The DHB was unable to provide any further information on the patient's medical care due to privacy considerations.
One patient remained in Christchurch Hospital in a comfortable condition.
- Greymouth Star
