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Three people were killed this morning when a vehicle left state highway 35 north of Te Araroa, collided with a tree and rolled. Photo / Google
Four members of the same family were killed in two separate crashes just a month apart, but in nearly identical circumstances in what is described as an “incomprehensible” tragedy.
A woman and two of her children died this morning after their vehicle left State Highway 35 north of Te Araroa, collided with a tree and rolled.
The accident occurred in exactly the same place as another just over a month ago, where the Herald understands that a relative of the two children and the woman died.
The four deaths in the space of a month have left the small, close-knit community of some 200 people reeling where “everyone knows each other.”
“We are absolutely devastated,” says community leader Ani Pahuru-Huriwai.
“It is a true tragedy, and when the news reached us who was involved … it was an even greater tragedy.”
Emergency services responded to the accident today, near Tokata Rd, just past the Karakatuwhero Bridge, around 5.45am.
The four-wheel drive Land Cruiser was on its roof on the side of the road when the first fire team arrived.
Te Araroa and Tikitiki firefighters responded, along with the police. The ambulance from St John de Ruatoria was also called.
St John officers pronounced the victims dead at the scene.
Pahuru-Huriwai confirmed that the victims were from the same whānau as the October 15 accident that occurred at the same location, but declined to comment further because police had not yet formally released their names.
Te Araroa Fire Chief Dick Cook attended both crashes and knew the whānau personally.
“It was exactly the same place, the same tree,” he told the Herald.
It was “too early” to provide further details and he would not say anything about the whānau before the police revealed their names.
“We are in a small rural area, everyone knows everyone. It is very difficult, but the hardest part is having to turn around and start working.”
Pahuru-Huriwai said it had been a difficult period for the small community.
“Today I have been in contact with the wider whānau and everyone is devastated. What has happened is incomprehensible.
“The family will be deeply missed in our community. We have had many deaths this year.
“And any death is a tragedy, but when it comes to our children, close family members, it is very difficult to find the words to express the pain our community feels.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a tangi like this in my life, three in the marae.”
Pahuru-Huriwai said they were also concerned for the welfare of the first responders.
“By the very nature of their jobs, everyone is connected to the people involved in this accident and the one before it.
“I would like to tell everyone to watch out for each other and be careful on the road.
“This is not the type of accident that happens every day, and for this to happen so soon after the last one is quite unimaginable.”
The road was closed this morning but reopened this afternoon.
The Gisborne Police Serious Accident Unit is investigating.
A police spokeswoman said there were no updates and they were not yet ready to release the names of the victims.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said there is a bleak mood throughout the East Coast community after this morning’s tragedy.
“They had a death a while ago and then this one today, so everyone is suffering and sending support to the family involved.”
He said he was aware of the people involved but did not confirm who they were and if the two crashes were related until it was officially confirmed.
New Zealand’s toll so far this year through November 15 is 274, up from 294 at the same time last year.
However, eight people had died as of Sunday in the Gisborne district so far this year, up from just three at this time last year. Today’s three deaths will bring this year’s tally to 11.
