Four from same family killed in two crashes

GISBORNE: Four members of the same family have died in two separate crashes just a month apart but in nearly identical circumstances, in what is being described as an ‘‘incomprehensible’’ tragedy.

A woman and two of her children were killed yesterday morning after her vehicle left State Highway 35 just north of Te Araroa, in the Gisborne district, hit a tree and rolled.

The crash occurred in the same spot as another just more than a month ago, where it is understood the father of the two children and husband of the woman died.

The four deaths in the short space of time have left the Te

Araroa community of about 200 people — where ‘‘everybody knows each other’’ — reeling.

‘‘We are absolutely devastated,’’ community leader Ani PahuruHuriwai said.

‘‘It’s a real tragedy, and when word reached us who was involved . . . it’s just even more of a tragedy.’’

Emergency services responded to yesterday’s crash, near Tokata Rd just past Karakatuwhero Bridge, about 5.45am.

The fourwheeldrive Land Cruiser was on its roof on the side of the road when the first fire crew arrived.

Te Araroa and Tikitiki firefighters responded, along with police and St John from Ruatoria.

St John officers pronounced the victims dead at the scene.

Mr PahuruHuriwai confirmed the victims were from the same family as the victim of the October 15 crash which happened in the same place, but declined to comment further as police had not yet formally released their names.

Te Araroa Chief Fire Officer Dick Cook attended both crashes and knew the family personally.

‘‘It was exactly the same place, the same tree,’’ he said.

‘‘We are in a small rural area, everybody knows everybody.

‘‘It’s really tough, but the hardest part is having to just turn around and go off to your real job.’’

Mr PahuruHuriwai said it had been a tough period for the small community.

‘‘I’ve been in touch with the wider whanau today, and all are devastated. It is incomprehensible what has happened.

‘‘I don’t think in my lifetime we will have had a tangi like this, three on the marae.’’

He said the community was also concerned for the welfare of the first responders.

‘‘By the very nature of their jobs they are all connected to the people involved in this accident and the previous one.

‘‘This is not the kind of accident that happens every day, and to have this happen so soon after the last one is quite unimaginable.’’

New Zealand’s road toll to November 15 is 274, down from 294 at the corresponding time last year. — The New Zealand Herald