Mum’s heroism saved three lives, say grieving family

The mother-of-two tragically killed in a crash near Awakino made a “splitsecond manoeuvre” that saved her two young children and her younger sister, her family says.

Darrelee Tuhoro, 27, was killed as she travelled from Hamilton to her parents’ home in New Plymouth.

She was 40 minutes away from her destination when the crash happened on State Highway 3 at Mahoenui on February 20.

Now her sister-in-law Ngahuia Sweeney has set-up a Givealittle page to support Darrelee’s partner and their two children.

On the page, Sweeney said Tuhoro’s younger sister Ambah and her two children Zealan, 2, and Ngahuia, 7 months, were still alive because of their mother’s heroic actions.

“Because of a split-second manoeuvre made by Daz in her last moments, we are grateful that we did not lose four precious souls.”

Tuhoro had received sporting accolades in her younger years before studying at South Seas Film & Television school in Auckland, Sweeney wrote. She was also about to start a diploma in te reo Ma¯ori.

She was a fantastic mother to her children and had “worked hard at providing the best for her babies”.

“She leaves behind a partner who through thick and thin always found solace in each other’s arms. She leaves behind a 2-year-old and 7-month-old who will never get to feel the warm embrace of their mummy ever again.”

Darrelee’s partner Ben had now become a stay-at-home dad and his sister was trying to raise money to help her brother and his children through the difficult time.

“Help to provide for the upbringing of the these beautiful babies, to make this time of transition without their mum that little bit easier,” the page said.

By last night, more than $1300 had been donated.

Last week Johnathan Daniel Coombe, of Waharoa, appeared in court charged with careless driving causing death. He also faced two charges of careless driving causing injury in relation to Zealan Sweeney and Ambah Tuhoro.

The 47-year-old was remanded on bail and is to reappear on March 14.