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Three people died after an accident north of Te Araroa on the east coast.
Three people died after crashing into the same tree that claimed the life of a family member a month earlier.
Shockwaves were sent through the remote community of Te Araroa on the east coast after the deaths Monday morning.
Dick Cook, Te Araroa fire chief with the local volunteer fire brigade, was the first emergency service personnel on the scene Monday. He said Things that the victims were from the same family as an accident last month at the same location.
Both crashes occurred when a car struck a tree near the Karakatuwhero Bridge, just north of the settlement on State Highway 35.
Cook was alerted to the incident after contractors arrived at the scene Monday morning and called emergency services.
Two fire trucks were dispatched to the scene, New Zealand Fire and Emergencies central communications manager Chris Munro said.
St John Ambulance was also in attendance, however, declined to comment on the incident.
The car involved in Monday morning’s crash hit the exact same tree as the crash that killed a local man a month and a day ago, on Oct. 15, Cook confirmed.
He said it was “one of the worst accidents I have ever been in.”
He lived in Te Araroa and said that the victims were also local. He knew the victims personally and said he was at the scene for several hours.
Police have not yet confirmed the identities of the victims.
A Te Araroa business owner, who did not want to be named, said the latest victims were well known in the community.
“This is a very devastating day for the city.”
“Everybody talks about it. It’s sad. [It’s] put a buffer in the city. “
Other local business owners spoken to were hesitant to speak on behalf of the victims’ family, however, they also confirmed a family link to the accident that occurred at the same location a month ago.
Police said they were alerted to the most recent crash at 5:46 a.m. Monday. All three occupants of the car died at the scene.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
After closing after the accident, State Highway 35 reopened Monday afternoon.
