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The back of the bus had melted by the time fire crews arrived.
Sizzling stagecoach extinguished
The driver of the 995 bus from Warkworth to Hibiscus Coast Station got a fright last month when the back of his bus burst into flames.
The bus was parked at the bus stop outside the old Masonic Hall in Warkworth and plumes of smoke billowing from burning rubber, plastic and fibreglass could be seen well above the town.
The Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade was quick to respond, dousing the bus with an extinguisher before hosing it down with water.
The driver believed the fire was caused by the air conditioner compressor jamming. No one was injured.
Arrest of intoxicated teenager justified
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) found that Police were justified in arresting and using force against a 16-year-old girl in Makarau last year.
The intoxicated teenager was a passenger in a stolen vehicle and refused to comply with an officer’s instructions to get out of the vehicle when it was stopped.
The vehicle had been stolen from Manurewa and had been spiked by Police by the time it came to a stop in Makarau.
The girl acknowledged that she knew the car was stolen and that she had drunk at least six cans of vodka mixed drinks during the pursuit.
She resisted arrest and was forcibly removed from car. During the struggle, she cut her head on the gravel road.
Officers at the scene attempted to provide her with first aid. The IPCA found that the arrest and use of force was justified and appropriate.
Lost hiker rides in a helicopter
An intrepid hiker braved the undulating grassy peaks of Tawharanui Regional Park last month only to get lost.
The woman set out on a hike in the morning but had not returned by early evening, so her family raised the alarm and called Police.
The Police Eagle helicopter was dispatched and spotted the woman within 30 seconds of arriving in the area.
Crews picked her up and returned her to a nearby carpark where her family was waiting.
“It is a great result and a reminder of the importance of telling someone where you are going and when you are due back,” Police say.
“If possible, have a means of communication in case you do need help.”
Lifeguards warn against hole
Mangawhai lifeguards are warning beachgoers to avoid the south end of the beach after rescuing two 10-year-old girls from an inshore hole on October 4.
Lifeguards say a deep hole has recently formed at the beach that can easily pull in children and those who are not confident swimmers.
Lifeguards say it is deceptive because it looks like a calm patch of water.
