No words can fully describe the agony, says grandmother
NZTA says length of road where seven of one family died had safety issues
The grandmother of five children who died alongside their parents, Margaret Luke and Dave Poutawa, in a crash at Atiamuri says “no words can fully describe the agony” of the wha¯nau’s grief.
Sherilyn Poutawa said the tragedy of losing seven loved ones “has been devastating, a shock”.
“No words can fully describe the agony, the anguish that our wha¯nau are experiencing at this time,” she told reporters at Waikato Hospital.
“Our wha¯nau were on their way home, not far from here.”
Poutawa had been waiting at
home with another grandson, she said, when she heard the news.
The sole survivor of the crash, a 9-year-old boy, was recovering after surgery that was successful, she said.
“He’s been in . . . a midnight surgery, and it’s been very successful.”
She said they were now waiting to go back home to Hawke’s Bay.
The two surviving grandsons were surrounded by a “big loving family”.
“We would like to thank wha¯nau, friends, all work colleagues of my son, school teachers, friends, neighbours for all their condolences and their heartfelt aroha, prayers, thoughts.”
The family asked for privacy and respect in the coming days, she said.
“Please continue to pray for the Luke, Karauria, Poutawa whanau as we grieve and mourn our loss, which will be a long journey for us.”
A neighbour of the family in Tokoroa, Ivan Meyers, 89, was distraught at learning the family had died.
He described them as “very nice people and those kids too, were so polite, always a hello”.
He had also just arranged for the 9-year-old boy to do his lawns so he could earn some pocket money.
The family’s vehicle and another, being driven by long-serving Scouts employee Jenny Rodgers, collided head-on on a sweeping left-hand
bend near Ohakuri Rd about 10.30am on Sunday. The NZ Transport Agency has found that the stretch of road where the eight people died has several safety issues.
NZTA safety and environment director Harry Wilson said changes throughout the area would “improve
safety, and reduce deaths and serious injuries”. “Between 2008 and 2017, 30 people died and 86 were seriously injured on this stretch of road.
“Crash analysis shows common contributing factors to crashes include loss of control, failure to keep left and fatigue. Police are investigating
the circumstances of the crash and the Transport Agency will be carrying out a thorough review of [the location].”
NZTA is working to deliver the Safe Network Programme, a $1.4 billion investment over three years which aims to prevent 160 deaths and serious
injuries. Wilson said several improvements will be rolled out after the Government made improving road safety a top priority.
Safety measures include installation of side and median barriers, rumble strips, shoulder widening, better signage and speed management.