Family of 11-year-old girl who died in Mt Ruapehu bus crash speak of devastating loss - 'my heart is literally broken'

September 5, 2018
Family of 11-year-old girl who died in the Tongariro National Park bus crash release a statement.

The family of a girl who died in a bus crash on Mt Ruapehu have spoken for the first time about her death saying "she was a special child who had the kindest heart and soul of anyone we have ever known."

On Saturday 28 July, A bus carrying 31 passengers rolled on Ohakune Mountain road killing 11-year-old Hannah Francis.

Today, Hannah's family have released a statement.

"Hannah was a wonderful girl who is deeply missed by us all and will be our entire lives. She had a joy and presence in our home that we long to have back.

"We miss her at the dinner table and all the usual routines of our daily lives. But we see her in the daffodils at our front door, in the uniforms left on bedroom floors and the warm sunshine flooding into her bedroom on a sunny day.

"If there is one thing we would want you to remember about Hannah it would be that she loved life and she approached life with an exuberance that was infectious."

A young girl died and other passengers were injured in Saturday’s crash.

Her dad, Matthew Francis and step brother, Joshua Francis were also injured in the crash.  They are healing from the injuries they received and still dealing with the trauma of the accident.

Matthew broke his scapula and multiple ribs and Joshua broke his clavicle, has spinal fractures and a concussion.

"This is on top of the unimaginable loss of Hannah. This has been a very difficult time for our family."

Hannah's mum Michelle Bruton says the family are taking baby steps each day to try and learn how to carry the grief. 

"As Hannah’s mother my heart is literally broken, there is no feeling like this in the world to compare it to.

"Hannah was the sunshine in every day, she was a special child who had the kindest heart and soul of anyone we have ever known."

The investigation into the Mt Ruapehu bus crash is ongoing and the police are unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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