Grandmother of Taupō crash victims: 'Words can't describe the anguish we're experiencing'
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
The grandmother of five children killed in a crash on Sunday says words couldn't 'describe the anguish our whānau are experiencing'.
Tokoroa couple David Poutawa and Margaret Luke, and five of their seven children, died in a crash between their van and an SUV on State Highway 1, in Atiamuri, north of Taupō, on Sunday.
Another of their children, a 9-year-old boy, was the sole survivor and is recovering from his injuries in Waikato Hospital.
Scouts manager Jenny Rodgers, who was the sole occupant of the SUV, also died in the crash, bringing the crash toll to eight.
**READ MORE:
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* 'Longstanding' Scouts NZ member one of eight killed in crash**
A family spokeswoman, and mother of David, Sherilyn Poutawa spoke on Tuesday of waiting at home for the couple with another of their children when the 'devastating' news broke.
She said grieving the loss would be a long journey for the whānau, some of who gathered around her as she spoke to media from Waikato Hospital.
A waiata was sung and karakia said before the whānau filed into the room. As Poutawa spoke, her whānau clutched each other with bowed heads.
She thanked school teachers, workers and neighbours for their thoughts and condolences, referring to notes written in an exercise book.
'We would like to thank everyone for their compassionate efforts to help our whānau through this process.
'This tragedy of losing our loved ones has been devastating.
'No words can fully describe the agony, the anguish, that our whānau are experiencing.'
She said her grandson, the sole survivor, was recovering well.
'He's been in surgery, midnight surgery, and it has been very successful.'
He had made a speedy recovery, but there was a long journey ahead of him, she said.
She said he, and the couple's other remaining son, were surrounded by a 'very big, loving family, a close unit'.
When the time was right, they would take them back to Hawke's Bay to be closer to whānau.
'We ask everyone, whānau and friends and family everywhere to continue to pray over the Luke, Karauria and Poutawa whānau as we grieve, mourn our loss. Which will be a long journey for us.'
Meanwhile, Scouts NZ manager Jenny Rodgers has been confirmed as one of the eight killed in the crash.
She was a North Island and schools manager, who had previously worked as a volunteer for the organisation, chief executive Joshua Tabor told Stuff.
Rodgers was a long-standing member and 'very well known' throughout the Scouts NZ community, Tabor said.
Rodgers was driving alone on the way back from Hamilton after attending a dinner in Waitomo for work on Saturday night when the crash happened.
Meanwhile, a neighbour of Luke and Poutawa's whānau described them as a 'beautiful' family who had only lived in the area a few months.
Ivan Meyers understood the David and Margaret had planned on marrying in May.
Margaret had been a friendly and open woman who he spoke with often.
Tokoroa North, Tokoroa Intermediate and Tokoroa High School confirmed the children killed had attended their schools.
'Our hearts and the [whanau] are hurting,' a post on the Tokoroa North Facebook page said.
'We send our deepest sympathy to the family and all others involved,' the newsletter said.
A thorough investigation is underway, Inspector Brent Crowe told reporters from the scene on Sunday.
However, police understand that the northbound white van crossed the centre line around a moderate bend for unknown reasons.