Hurt mum yet to hear boys dead

Siamak Mosaferi would watch his eldest son, Arteen, closely as the boy played on their quiet Hamilton cul-de-sac.

The 4-year-old, who first laid eyes on his baby brother earlier this year, was always outside riding his bike and his dad was always there watching him, making sure he never rode past the end of the driveway.

It was a common sight for neighbours on Teatree Close in Huntington, a sight that will never be played out again.

On Good Friday, the preschooler and his only sibling, twomonth-old Radeen, were fatally injured when the vehicle they were in collided with another car and two trucks on the Desert Rd near Waiouru.

Arteen died at the scene and Radeen died at Starship Hospital on Sunday.

Their mother, Dr Mohadeseh Sharifi, a scientist for AgResearch, is in a critical condition at Waikato Hospital. She does not know her two babies have died.

Their father suffered moderate injuries in the crash. The family were heading south for Easter Weekend when the crash happened.

Neighbours of the family are reeling from the loss.

Edward Scott said the last time he saw the tight-knit family was on Thursday.

‘‘It’s horrible, they are a really nice family,’’ Scott said yesterday. ‘‘We used to see them every morning.

‘‘On Thursday we saw them packing up the car for their holiday. You never think anything like this would happen.’’

Scott described the family as private, but saw how much they doted on their children.

‘‘The little boy was always outside riding his bike, but his dad was always there watching him. He was very protective of his son ...’’

The family came a long way to this quiet corner at the bottom of the world.

Mosaferi is originally from Bandar-e Anzali in Iran. He and his wife moved to New Zealand after he graduated from Azad University in 2008.

He gained his master of engineering degree from Auckland University in 2013, before he joined Stiles and Hooker Architects + Engineers in 2014.

Director Tony Wade said the family had become an integral part of the company. ‘‘Sia is a hardworking and valuable member of our close-knit, family-oriented business. [He] is an active participant in office social events and a proud family man.

‘‘The tragic outcome of Friday’s accident is a huge shock to the directors and fellow staff, and our hearts go out to Sia, Mohy and the wider family.’’

AgResearch science group leader Jolon Dyer said fellow scientists were in shock after learning about the crash.

‘‘Dr Mohy Sharifi is an enthusiastic and much-loved member of the team,’’ Dyer said.

‘‘We were shocked to learn what has happened to Mohy, and the terrible loss that she has suffered.

‘‘Mohy’s colleagues at AgResearch will be doing all they can to support her and her family through this very difficult time.’’

The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team are investigating the cause of the crash.

So far, four people died on the nation’s roads over Easter Weekend.

The toll has surpassed last year’s Easter Weekend of two. The official holiday period began at 4pm Thursday and ends at 6am today.

❚ Road toll on rise, Editorial A6