Family supports St John

The family of the man who died when an ambulance crashed in Northland stand by St John.

The family of a critically ill Northland man who died in the back of an ambulance after it crashed into a power pole in Moerewa are supportive of St John, police say.

Yesterday police named the man who died as 66-year-old Sonny Rawhiti Kemp of Kaeo. Mr Kemp was being transported to hospital by ambulance when it crashed into a power pole on the main street of Moerewa between Nisbet St and George St about 6.38am on Tuesday.

It is not known if the crash was a contributing factor in Mr Kemp's death. Northland police area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said police met with Mr Kemp's family yesterday.

"At the end of the day he was a critically unwell man being transported to the hospital," Mr McLellan said.

"They are a lovely family from the Far North who are quite supportive of St John."

The ambulance was carrying Mr Kemp and three St John staff when it crashed. All three St John staff members were admitted to hospital, but two were discharged the same day. The third staff member injured in the crash was in a satisfactory condition at Whangarei Hospital yesterday.

St John chief Tony Devanney declined to comment further on the crash.