Nine tourists still in hospital after their bus crashed and flipped on its side in the Otira Gorge last week are improving.
Rescue helicopters at the scene of the crash in the Otira Gorge. Photo: Supplied
The crash injured 16 of the 36 Chinese tourists on the bus as well as the three Swiss occupants of the car involved in the accident.
Some of the Chinese tourists said the bus had been travelling fast before it collided with the car.
Eight people remain in Christchurch hospital in stable condition and one person has improved from a critical to serious condition.
Christchurch Chinese Consulate General Mr Jin Zhijian said one family has travelled from China to support a young man in his 20s who remains in hospital.
The priority at the moment was making sure people received the treatment they needed, before arranging travel plans to get them home.
Fifteen tourists involved in the crash are continuing their South Island tour.
