Dedicated family man killed in head on collision

Simon Malo Iosefo was killed when his car and a station-wagon collided. Photo / APN

Family are mourning the loss of a 24-year-old Hastings man who came to New Zealand for a better future, but was killed in a head-on collision on Monday.

Simon Malo Iosefo, originally from Apia, Samoa, was travelling to work at the Silver Fern Farms Takapau plant when his car and a station wagon carrying five people collided.

The occupants of the other car, two women and three girls aged 15, 12 and 9, sustained serious injuries.

Speaking from their Hastings home, Simon's family said they were finding it hard to come to terms with the sudden death of the talented musician and dedicated family man.

His adopted father, Tuliatu Iosefo, said he and his wife, Seti, adopted Simon in 2003 to give him a better future.

"I adopted him here because he had no future in Samoa. He had finished school early and was looking for a better future."

Mr Iosefo said Simon was also a devoted and valued member of their church, where his musical ability shone.

"He's a strong member of the church and he was our keyboard player," he said. "He can play anything in the band - guitar, drums, he's a talented boy."

He said Simon had spent years working in local orchards around Hastings, but had moved to Takapau for permanent work as a cleaner at the processing plant.

"He's still helping his birth mother and father and brothers and sisters by sending them money nearly every week," he said.

The assistant manager of the Takapau plant, Graeme Orviss, said Simon was a valued and popular employee, and a service was held on site.

"I think everyone was just in shock, he was well liked."

Mr Iosefo said no funeral arrangements had been made yet, as family travelling from Samoa were still to arrive - including Simon's birth parents, three sisters and one brother.

Simon had seven adopted siblings in Hastings and a 20-year-old brother living locally too.

One of the women injured in yesterday's crash has been discharged from hospital, but another other remained in a serious condition.

The 9-year-old girl was in a serious but stable condition, and the 12- and 15-year-olds were in stable conditions in a general ward.

Waipukurau Police Sergeant Ross Gilbert said the investigation into the cause of the crash was continuing yesterday.

- APN