29 Apr 2012

Four arrests after bus driver's death

9:59 pm on 29 April 2012

Police say four people have been arrested after handing themselves in following the death of a Lower Hutt bus driver.

Herman Curry, 64, was found unconscious on the ground near his bus at the Waterloo Interchange bus depot on Friday night, and died shortly after.

Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson says two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been referred to Youth Aid in relation to the theft of Mr Curry's cash box.

A 17-year-old and a 20-year-old-man will appear in the Lower Hutt District Court on Tuesday, also charged with theft.

Mr Thomson says the preliminary results of a post-mortem show Mr Curry's body does not have any injuries consistent with any type of assault.

He says the police are pleased with the outcome.

"Further enquiries are underway and a team of 30-strong police staff will continue working on the investigation in coming days to reach a final conclusion on Mr Curry's death," says Mr Thomson.

NZ Bus chief executive Zane Fulljames says the depot where the attack occurred has been targeted before.

Mr Fulljames says a number of cash boxes have been taken from the Waterloo Interchange in the past few years, usually, however, when the driver isn't present.