Dead twins' parents 'determined to find out what happened'

Marie Dyhrberg

The parents of twin baby boys who died in hospital on Sunday are determined to find out what happened, the lawyer for one said today.

Chris and Cru Kahui, aged three months, died about 12 hours apart, several days after relatives took them to Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital.

The two boys from Mangere in south Auckland, both had head injuries and one had a broken thighbone.

Auckland lawyer, Marie Dyhrberg, who is acting for the mother of the boys, said today both parents were very distraught. No one has been charged over the deaths.

Ms Dyhrberg said the boys were premature and unwell from the time they were born.

"They (the parents) are utterly devastated. They are utterly distraught but they are committed to finding out what has happened and who is responsible."

Ms Dyhrberg said the parents were automatically suspects. "But we don't know when the critical times are -- when did the injuries occur. The autopsy will go a long way to assisting in that regard."

The post mortem should reveal more details on the boys' fatal head injuries today, police said.

The parents were with the twins when they died, Ms Dyhrberg said yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said the investigation was progressing but there was little additional information.

MS Dyhrberg said the family were focusing on the tangi.

Ms Dyhrberg said anybody who had spent more than five minutes with the twins would be considered potential suspects by the police.

Mangere counsellors and social workers say the best way to ensure families are safe is for people to speak up when they know children are in difficulties.

"The problem is that people don't raise the issue, identify the issue before it happens and it's very hard to intercede or provide the support," Peter Sykes of the Mangere East Family Centre told Radio NZ.

Community worker James Papali'i said the Mangere community was shocked at the deaths but was always trying to find ways of helping families.

- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA