![photo afp file photo afp file](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/1273884-bus-1482583641/1273884-bus-1482583641.jpg)
The bus was 30 kilometres from the popular holiday resort town of Gisborne, on the east coast of the North Island, when it crashed through a barrier and down a bank at about 0930GMT on Christmas Eve.
Deadly accident: Three killed, 12 injured in fire
Police said one person was confirmed dead, several were airlifted to hospitals with various injuries, and 36 were taken by ambulance to Gisborne for further assessment.
According to the police, it would be several hours before they would be able to release details on whether any of the passengers were foreign tourists.
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