Three generations of Filipino-New Zealand family killed in ‘shocking’ crash
- The family were based in Auckland and had relatives in the Philippines and Taiwan, a friend told a New Zealand talk radio show
- They were travelling home on Sunday when their Toyota Hiace van hit a truck and was almost completely destroyed. Seven people died
A baby was among the victims, some of whom came from Auckland’s Filipino community. A teenage boy and a man survived.
Police said the victims included Paul Brown and his wife, Diseree Brown, and their son Mark. Diseree’s sister, Divine Dolar, also died in the crash along with her daughter Flordeliza Dolar, the Stuff news portal reported.
The family were returning home to the North Island after attending a funeral in Gore, when the crash happened at about 7.30am. Images of the crash showed that their Toyota Hiace van was completely destroyed by the impact.
The survivors were flown to Wellington Hospital. One was in serious condition while the other was in a serious but stable condition.
A friend of the family called Bill told talk-radio show Newstalk ZB that they had come to stay with him on Saturday night.
