Four victims of horror South Island crash named
All four victims of a horror crash near Lake Tekapo on Saturday have been named.
Two vehicles and a motorbike were involved in the crash on SH8 where three people died at the scene and another person died from their injuries on Sunday.
Megat Ashman Aqif Megat Irman Jefni, 21, and Wan Adlina Alisa, 20, Malaysian students studying at the University of Canterbury, were named by Malaysian media as two of the victims. They were travelling with three other students who were flown to Christchurch Hospital.
University of Canterbury tumu whakarae vice-chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey said the university community was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of two of its students. “I wish to share our sincerest condolences with the families and friends of those affected,” she said.
The Malaysian Government through the High Commission was providing “appropriate assistance to victims and their families”. Both students’ families had flown to Christchurch and Megat was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Bromley, Christchurch, on Wednesday.
In the other vehicle was Gavin Beere, 85, from Christchurch. Beere was understood to have died on Sunday due to his injuries.
Phillip Woodham, 71, better known as Woody, from Ashburton, was named as the man on the motorbike. He was part of The Patriots - a worldwide motorcycle club of former and present members of Defence Forces.
Woody was described as a “real genuine Kiwi who loved to ride and loved his mates”. South Island chapter president Darren Dumble said Woody loved nothing better than turning up to a club function “with a cheeky grin and a bunch of tall stories told with a dry wit”.
“Woody was, by his own words, the most popular guy in The Patriots. Maybe that was because of his outrageous luck on the pokies, but mostly it was because of his easy-going manner and warm handshake.”
Woody previously served in the New Zealand Army as an infantryman and, from past photos seen by the club, had been a section commander.
“To be a section commander, you need to have an excellent rapport with the troops, something Woody would have excelled in,” Dumble said.
Woody rode a Harley and was known to loiter around the back of groups “taking in the view and just being happy he was with his mates”.
Dumble spent six days riding with Woody and his friends last year and said during that trip he saw Woody’s happy place “was on the bike, cruising up and down the West Coast of the South Island”.
Woody had been planning a weekend away with the chapter to Berlins in the Lower Buller Gorge. The club intended to continue his planning and make it an annual event called Woody’s Ride.
“Despite the best efforts of those first at the scene, three people were unable to be saved,” police Inspector Craig McKay said.
“Several of the injured were trapped in the wreckage and needed to be cut out.”
As investigations continue, police couldn’t share any information about what caused the crash.