Hele-On bus parked with mechanical issue rolls backwards, shearing utility pole in half

A Hele-On bus was traveling west on Kamani Street in Pāhala, when it pulled onto the shoulder Thursday afternoon after experiencing mechanical problems.

But while the Hawaiʻi County public bus was parked, the 53-year-old bus driver from Hilo told investigating police officers that it began to roll backwards.

He was unable stop the bus, stating that the brakes were inoperable. As a result, the bus struck a utility pole, shearing it in half and causing damage to utility wires, police said in a news release.

The driver was the sole occupant of the bus at the time of the incident, around 12:42 p.m. He was not injured.

Hawaiian Electric crews remain on scene and are working to replace the damaged pole and restore power.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or contact Officer Israel Mata at 808-939-2520.