Mother’s death new blow for survivor

Tragedy has struck again for the sole survivor of a horror crash that killed seven people, including her two children and partner.

Eight weeks on from the South Taranaki crash that killed her young baby Shady-Jade Thompson, daughter Nivek Madams, 8, and partner Jeremy Thompson,

28, as well as four Waverley residents, Ani Nohinohi’s mum has died.

Maureen Nohinohi died at Te Rangimarie Hospice in New Plymouth on Friday. She was 59.

A death notice stated she was a much-loved mother and grandmother, and was surrounded by wha¯ nau at the time of her passing.

A source close to the wha¯ nau had previously said Maureen had been suffering a ‘‘grim’’ battle with cancer and was receiving treatment at Whanganui Hospice at the time of the June 27 crash.

They said Maureen was transferred to Hospice Taranaki after the crash to be closer to her daughter.

Ani was transferred to Taranaki Base Hospital from Wellington Hospital at the request of wha¯ nau who wished to support her during her recovery.

The pair had become closer since the crash, they said.

On July 4, a tangi was held in Whanganui for Thompson, Shady-Jade and Nivek, who were travelling in the southbound vehicle with Nohinohi when they crashed into a car carrying Waverley residents Ian Porteous,

80, his wife Rosalie Porteous, 76, Ian’s sister Ora Keene, 84, and close friend Brenda Williams, 79, who all died.

It was New Zealand’s worst road crash in 13 years. A police investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

A tangi will be held for Maureen at Whakaahurangi Marae in Stratford today followed by cremation at Taranaki Crematorium in New Plymouth.