Nine children sent to Wellington Hospital after head gasket blew on school bus

Nine students were taken to Wellington Hospital after a bus travelling to Te Papa blew a head gasket.

The school bus transporting 44 students from Wanuiomata Primary School was on its way to a kapa haka at the Museum when the incident happened on the motorway at around 10.30am.

Fire and Emergency initially said fire crews were called to reports of a bus fire but on arrival encountered an unknown substance.

Police, a Hazardous Materials Unit, four fire trucks, two ambulances and support vehicles all responded.

Upon arrival, some students started feeling unwell.

Assistant District Commander Matt Franklin said fumes from the blown gasket had caused respiratory and stomach pains.

"There's been fumes inside the cabin of the bus and [the students] were transferred to another bus. Some of them have presented with respiratory problems on arrival at Te Papa.

"Steam based, oil has been aspirated... respiratory and abdominal complaints."

Emergency services triaged the children with 19 reporting symptoms and nine were taken to hospital.

Franklin said following the ambulance staff checks, the remaining students had rejoined their class mates at the museum's kapa haka event.

Police were looking to tow the bus from the motorway.

Wanuiomata Primary School principal Allison Burdon told parents they could be really proud of their children after the incident.

She said the children reacted very well and had gone on to perform at the kapa haka event.

Read how the event unfolded below: