Tourist tragedy strands kids in NZ
Safety plea goes out to drivers with busy time ahead on roads
Two English children will spend their Christmas stranded in New Zealand after a crash that killed one of their mothers and left the other with critical injuries.
The bleak outcome emerged as police warned motorists that anyone exceeding the speed limit by as little as 4km/h would be ticketed over the holiday period, traditionally one of the worst times of year on the road.
Ben Sargent, 6, and his sister Olivia, 9, were holidaying with their mothers Kerry and Jules Sargent in October when the family were involved in a head-on collision, the Daily Mail reported.
Kerry Sargent, 42, from Gloucester, was killed in the October 22 crash when the family were on a night out for dinner with friends in Whangarei, the Gloucester Live reported.
She had been a front-seat passenger in one of the two vehicles that rolled. Jules’ injuries were deemed too serious for her to travel. She broke her ribs, right leg and two vertebra in her spine, while also injuring her left arm and suffering a wound to her hip area. She is recovering with a friend of the family.
Another woman, Mary Peneamena, 65, from Auckland, died at the scene.
Olivia and Ben were also being cared for by friends. They would be schooled here while their mother had physiotherapy.
Family friend Alan
York had set up a GoFundMe page for the trio, to help create some “magical moments” they could look forward to.
Speaking from hospital in New Zealand Jules, 49, told Gloucester Live: “I was so shocked when Alan first told me about the Magical Memories campaign. I didn't think people would respond in this way to our situation, but it is really comforting to know how much people care and want to help my children.
“They have been through such a traumatic experience as they were initially stuck in the car whilst it was on its roof and had to be rescued by friends smashing the windows to get them out. It was a terrifying experience for everyone but Ben and Olivia have shown so much courage throughout this whole situation. I am so proud of them of both.
“Ben has said he can't think about the good times before the accident, all he can remember is the accident.
“This amazing campaign will be used to help them overcome the trauma and create some more happy memories.”
The page had last night raised more than $11,000.
The official holiday period began at 4pm yesterday and runs until 6am on January 7.
Last year 12 people lost their lives on New Zealand roads during the holiday period.
National manager for road policing Superintendent Steve Greally was urging New Zealanders to slow down this summer and said “less speed does mean less harm”.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact of speed in a crash, a 10km/h difference could save your life,” he said.
“This is one of those messages some people don’t like hearing, and some refuse to take on board. I just don’t understand it.”