Sean Cleary, 61, was killed after a car collided with the bus he was driving. Photo: SUPPLIED
A bus driver killed in a fiery crash on Auckland's Tāmaki Drive last week is being mourned by his community.
Police named the driver as Sean James Cleary, 61, from Point Chevalier on Friday morning.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time," police said.
Cleary was killed on Wednesday last week when a car collided with the bus he was driving, causing the bus to be engulfed by flames.
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed the fire started in the car's engine.
"A fire started in the engine of the petrol vehicle, which then spread to the bus," they said.
Tāmaki Drive was closed for hours following the crash. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Friends of Cleary created a public social media page to pay tributes to the man described as "a brother, nephew who never failed to make us laugh ,or to back us up".
A friend said he was a man who fiercely defended his friends and lifted up the people around him.
"What a dreadful thing to happen. Such a lovely man," one friend posted.
Another said Cleary was a "wonderful colleague and friend" who was always smiling and willing to help out.
"Sean you are going to leave a huge hole in our lives. It was an absolute honour to work with you. You are sadly missed."
Auckland's mayor Wayne Brown earlier paid tribute to Cleary, calling his death "a tragedy".
Tāmaki Drive looking empty the morning after the crash. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Brown said the crash was "a stark reminder of how fragile life is and how it can change in the blink of an eye".
In his social media post, he said Auckland Transport was supporting the investigation and working with police, the bus operator and other agencies.
The managing director for bus operator Kinetic, Calum Haslop said his thoughts were with the driver's family, friends and colleagues.
He said Kinetic was working with authorities who were investigating the incident.
Police continued to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
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