Police pull together fatal crash details

Police say it will be “some time” before they have all the answers about a crash that killed four Southland teens.

Yesterday marked two weeks since the horror crash involving a ute and concrete truck on one of Invercargill’s main streets.

Bluff teenagers Konnor Steele, 16, Indaka Rouse, 16, and Kyah Kennedy,16, died alongside O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawhai, 17, from Invercargill.

The driver of the concrete truck, Rhys Wilson, was not badly injured.

A witness told the Weekend Herald another motorist narrowly avoided being hit by the ute, the driver managing to swerve out of its path.

Police yesterday said the investigation was ongoing.

“Police have spoken to a number of witnesses and would like to thank those that have come forward and spoken with us as we piece together the circumstances of the crash,” a spokeswoman said.

“The truck driver has received support through Victim Support and has co-operated with police throughout the investigation.

“Police would like to acknowledge the community’s patience as we take time to thoroughly investigate the crash, which will take some time.”

The Serious Crash Unit investigation could take months. The case will likely go to the Coroner, who may hold an inquest.

Since the crash, tributes and photos have been posted and widely shared of the four boys who died.

Their deaths have shaken the Invercargill and Bluff communities.

The Weekend Herald has contacted family members but they were not ready to speak publicly.

Funerals for all four boys were held last week.

Wilson spoke to the Herald in the days after the crash. He said it had been “pretty rough”.

“You know, I’ve got some good support. I’m well. I’m getting better,” he said. “I just feel sorry for the people in the car but I can’t do anything about that.”