One dead, three children rescued from upside-down car in West Coast river

Sunday, 10 September 2017

Kaikoura man Tamati Rae, 32, died after crashing off a bridge over the Otututu River north of Greymouth. A passing teenager pulled his three children from the car.

A teenager 'saved the lives' of three children by rescuing them from an upside-down vehicle after it plunged into a West Coast river.

Their father, Tamati James Rae, died in the crash, at the Otututu River north of Greymouth, on Sunday night.

The crash happened about 8.20pm on Sunday.

Rae, 32, was returning home to Kaikoura after visiting family on the West Coast when the car plunged off a bridge and landed in the water.

A 17-year-old passing by stopped and pulled the children from the car, Senior Sergeant Brent Cook said.

A person died and three children were injured in a crash near Ikamatua on the West Coast on Sunday night.

The children, aged 6, 9, and 11, suffered minor scrapes and bruises.

A local farmer offered the children showers before they were taken to Greymouth Hospital and used a tractor to move the car onto the riverbank, Cook said.

The three children were taken to hospital in Greymouth.

Emergency services later found Rae's body. Cook called the incident 'extremely traumatic'.

'All parties involved are struggling, all going through a stressful time,' he said.

'Police would like to acknowledge the actions of the rescuer who has saved the lives of the children, as well as a local farmer who gave comfort and shelter after the crash.'

VICTIM HELPED TOWN AFTER EARTHQUAKE

Rae's brother were taking the children back to Kaikoura on Monday, his father, Alan Rae, said.

Tamati Rae was the supervisor of a taskforce who fixed Kaikoura community and recreational facilities post-earthquake.

Projects by Enhanced Task Force Green, set up by Work and Income and the Kaikoura District Council, included tidying the cemetery, fixing walkways, cleaning and re-barking the Whale Watch car park and entrance, and upgrading facilities at South Bay.

Kaikoura District Council operations and contracts supervisor Christian Roy said Rae was an 'amazing young man'.

He took his job seriously, had great ideas and helped the taskforce members grow in confidence – to the point where one found a permanent, fulltime job.

'He was always ready to help anybody. He was amazing with his crew. Everybody loved him.

'Whatever you asked of Tamati, he would always say yes and make it happen.

'Kaikoura is quite tight. This is a great loss for us,' Roy said.

'EXTREMELY TRAUMATIC'

A member of the public notified police to the crashed vehicle, off Atarau Rd near Ikamatua, about 8.20pm.

A St John spokeswoman said an ambulance was sent to the scene. A helicopter was dispatched, but it was unknown if it would get through due to poor weather, she said at the time.

The police serious crash unit is investigating.

'This has been an extremely traumatic event for all those involved and police and victim support are continuing to support them,' police said.

'The vehicle is in the process of being recovered and the road remains closed as the Serious Crash Unit inspects the scene as part of their investigation.'

'Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.'