ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS INJURED IN BUS STRIKE

Two Lahaina residents were injured after being struck by a chartered bus in Kaanapali this morning.

Maui Police Lt. Wally Tom with the Communications Division said the 81-year-old man was listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries and was medi-vac to Maui Memorial Medical Center. The 79-year-old female was also transported to the hospital for treatment and was last listed in stable condition.

The chartered bus was contracted to transport hotel workers on a commuter route and was operated by a 66-year-old Kahului man. There were 13 passengers on the bus at the time of the crash. The driver and all passengers escaped uninjured.

The accident was reported at 7:49 a.m. on the Honoapiilani Highway at the intersection with Kai Ala Drive in Kaanapali.

Maui police say the bus was executing a left turn from Kai Ala Drive onto Honoapiilani Highway, headed in the Napili direction, while the pedestrians were crossing Honoapiilani Highway, from Kai Ala Drive headed in the mauka direction.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

(Story by Wendy OSHER © 2009)