A group of eight visitors from China escaped serious injury or death after the bus they were in crashed down a bank near Putaruru in New Zealand's North Isaldn on Saturday.

Police said the bus, carrying visitors from China, was heading toward Rotorua on Harwoods Rd, State Highway 28, when it was cut off by an overtaking car, the New Zealand Herald reported on Sunday.

Taupo police Senior Sergeant Murray Hamilton said the driver of a Honda tried to overtake the bus before a blind corner, but clipped it while trying to avoid an oncoming horse float.

Both vehicles crashed off the road and down a bank, with the bus ending up on its side.

The bus driver was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg, while eight other passengers were treated for less serious injuries.

The four occupants of the car were not injured.

Hamilton said the crash could have been a lot worse and passengers were lucky to be alive. Police were still investigating the crash and the car driver was likely to face charges.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2008)