Couple killed in Palmerston crash had four children

A couple who died in an accident near Palmerston over the weekend left behind four young children.

Hamiora Te Kira, 28, known as Tama and Kara TeRupe, 27, both from Palmerston, died after the car they were traveling in rolled over a bank on Macraes Back Rd, 35 km inland from Palmerston, around 11.50 pm on Saturday.

A Givealittle page created for the couple by cousins ​​said that a car accident “claimed the lives of our dear cousins ​​Kararaina TeRupe and her partner Tama Tekira, who were passengers in a vehicle.”

The couple leaves behind four children between the ages of three and nine, the page said.

The page was aimed at raising money for funeral expenses and travel expenses from Dunedin to Wellington for the family, and whatever was left would go to the children’s future.

Sgt Tony Woodbridge of Oamaru confirmed the couple were a couple and had children.

Investigations into the circumstances of the accident were continuing.

“The Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating, together with the Serious Accident Unit, with the help of photographs from the police and our forensic officers.

” The car rolled over several times and stopped in a steep ravine. It suffered considerable damage.

“At this stage, the cause of the accident has not been determined.”

The other two occupants of the car, an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman, both also from Palmerston, survived the crash and were airlifted to Dunedin Hospital. Sgt. Woodbridge said both were released from the hospital Sunday. They also spoke to police on Sunday.

“They are obviously very shocked and … struggling to deal with the death of two of their friends.”