9 injured in bus crash

Brakes on a tour bus reportedly fail, setting off a chain reaction seven-vehicle pileup

Nine people suffered minor injuries yesterday in a 7-vehicle crash involving a tour bus filled with 25 Japanese tourists in Kaneohe, officials said.

Nine people were injured yesterday in a seven-vehicle crash involving a tour bus filled with 25 Japanese tourists in Kaneohe.

The accident happened at about 12:45 p.m. on the Kahekili offramp from Likelike Highway in the Kaneohe-bound direction.

Police closed the offramp after the accident, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.

Sgt. P. Wilson, of the Kaneohe District, said the brakes on the bus failed as it approached the traffic light at the intersection.

The tour bus hit a vehicle waiting at the light and set off a chain reaction of collisions with the other vehicles, she said.

Wilson said the bus was taking Japanese tourists to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Police said five passengers from the bus were taken to the Hawaii Medical Center with minor injuries. Four passengers from the vehicles were also taken to the hospital.

Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, said all the patients were in stable condition.

The tour bus, which can seat 25 passengers, was full, Seelig said.

Police said the bus was operated by Lion's Limousine & Transportation Inc. Someone who answered the company phone yesterday declined to comment.

Three vehicles were towed. Firefighters cleared the roadway of debris and fluids, and police reopened the offramp at 2:57 p.m., about two hours after the accident.