A bus carrying 18 school children left the road, apparently blown off, near Eketahuna this morning as strong winds hammer the lower North and South islands.

The bus left Mangaroa Rd, west of Eketahuna in the Tararua District, about 8.10am today, Inspector Ian Harris of police central communications said.

“There were absolutely no injuries and the 18 kids got on another bus and carried on to school,” he said.

Emergency services had been told the bus was blown off the road.

The wind was also blustery in Wairarapa, where the MetService has a severe weather watch for gales in place.

Gale-force winds have also been hammering the lower South Island this morning as a front moves over the country, bringing a cold change that is likely to dump snow to sea level later today.

– APNZ