Music festival goers honour the four people killed in tragic crash near Ashburton

Sunday, 6 June 2021

Four people died when a truck and a van collided at the intersection of Cochranes and Wakanui roads near Ashburton shortly before 10am on June 4.

The horror crash that claimed the lives of four people as they travelled to the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards has left everyone “very shocked”, the festival’s organiser says.

A minute’s silence was held to honour the four people who were killed as they drove south to Gore to attend the three-day country music festival.

They died when their van collided with a truck at the intersection of Cochranes and Wakanui roads near Ashburton shortly before 10am on Friday.

Van driver Avinash Avinesh Chand, 31, died in the crash, along with three passengers from the North Island.

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Gold Guitar Awards convener and committee member Philip Geary said it was “very sad to hear” what happened.

Intermediate winner Zac Griffiths, from Wakefield, dedicated his performance to the four people who died on Friday.

“Everybody’s very shocked by it,” he said.

“People were hearing various stories, but on Saturday morning we started to get confirmation that they were coming here.”

In a touching tribute, 16-year-old singer Zac Griffith, who won the intermediate competition, dedicated his performance to the four people who lost their lives.

“He's a very genuine young guy, he's only a teenager, and it was good for him to do that,” Geary said.

Simione Tagicakibau (left) with his friend Avinash Avinesh Chand, who was killed in a crash in Ashburton on Friday.

“Nobody prompted him, he just did it himself.”

Sunday’s final was held at the 1100-seat Gore Town & Country Stadium and in spite of the tragedy, the weekend had gone “very well”, he said.

“We had near-record entries, 755, and we sold our last tickets, so we've got a full house.”

Police believed Friday's crash happened when the van was driven through a controlled intersection, which had stop signs on both sides, in a “moment of carelessness”.

The driver, Chand, was the co-owner of tour company Identity Tours Ltd, and worked with disabled people.

Friend Simione Tagicakibau found out what happened when he received a call from one of Chand’s workmates.

“I tried my best to get home safely as I was driving, shocked and still couldn't believe it,” he said.

“I tried to call [Chand’s] mobile number, wishing he could answer it for the last time.”

Tagicakibau met Chand when he moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 2015.

“He was a very caring, selfless and honest person who has touched so many people that he crossed paths with. He is very organised and always wanted everything to be perfect and on time.

“He is a true friend and will be sorely missed.”