1 Dec 2017

Hamilton bus driver punched 13 times

3:55 pm on 1 December 2017

A Hamilton bus driver has been punched more than a dozen times after a minor road accident.

Hamilton District Court

A 38-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ

Pavlovich Coachlines said the assault followed a cashbox robbery a fortnight ago, and other incidents involving drivers from both of Hamilton's public transport operators.

Chief executive Bernard Pavlovich said it happened at five yesterday afternoon, after a collision between the bus and a car, which overtook as the bus was turning right.

"The bus driver thought he was doing the right thing to open the door and allow him in to exchange some details and the driver of the car simply got into the bus and viciously assaulted the driver...CCTV footage shows he took 13 punches to his head and body," Mr Pavlovich said.

The police have arrested a 38-year-old Hamilton man and charged him with assault.

He will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday.