A colleague of two Samoan seasonal workers killed in yesterday afternoon’s triple-fatal crash south of Auckland says people in Samoa and New Zealand would “miss them a lot”.
And police say initial indications are that a truck travelling south suffered a tyre blowout, causing it to crash through barrier wires into the northbound lanes, colliding with a van and two other vehicles.
A colleague of two of those killed in the crash near Ramarama says those that died will be missed dearly by their friends and family. (Source: 1News)
Three people were killed and three others were seriously injured in the crash on State Highway 1 near Ramarama.
Counties Manukau Road Policing manager Inspector Tony Wakelin said the van was carrying six people and that three were killed on impact.
“The three that died were aged 45, 37 and 32.
“A 21-year-old male remains in a critical condition, two other men aged 42 and 39 are in hospital with moderate injuries.”
Wakelin said that although formal identification procedures are continuing, police said the workers were due to return to Samoa later this week.
Fagaloa Tavita Taufaalili, a colleague of two of the workers for around three years, told 1News their families would be “missing them a lot”.
“We came here to make money for them. It is hard for me to remember what happened to both of them. The only thing I would tell their families is to be strong.”
Immigration New Zealand national manager Pacific Loua Ward confirmed five Recognised Seasonal Employer Samoan workers employed at Eastpack’s Ōpōtiki site were passengers in the van involved in the crash.
“A family member of one of the RSE workers was driving the van, transporting the group to Auckland to see family members before they returned to Samoa this Thursday.”
She said the driver and two of the workers were killed in the accident and that three other passengers are receiving medical care.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families affected by this tragic accident.
“Immigration New Zealand’s RSE Engagement Partner is working closely with Eastpack and Samoan authorities to provide assistance and support during this difficult time.”
Police said the crash near Ramarama was reported at around 1.47pm, with early indications suggesting multiple people critically injured. (Source: 1News)
A Givealittle fundraising page has been set up by South Auckland community leader Li’amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara to help the families of the men killed in the crash.
‘Indescribable’, ‘horrific’ – police on crash scene
Talking about the crash scene, Wakelin said it was “indescribable” and “horrific”.
“Our staff are sadly, used to attending these sorts of incidents but when it gets to this sort of magnitude and this number of people involved, the number of fatalities, and the extent of the injuries, it’s a really horrible for them to attend.”
He also thanked members of the public who stopped to help those who were involved in the crash prior to the arrival of emergency services.
Wakelin said the fact that a passerby live-streamed the scene on social media was “disgusting”.
“I thought it was horrible, as did a lot of my colleagues. That’s not acceptable.”
He said he would ask the person who filmed that footage, “how would you feel if that was your family?”
Wakelin said there were people dying who needed help, which should have been the focus.