Families torn by crashes

As two children last night battled for their lives after a fatal road smash, a grieving husband told how his wife died during a memorial motorbike run for his dead brother and father.

Mother-of-two Natalie Joy Anderson, 42, was one of three people to die on New Zealand roads in 12 hours yesterday. She was riding pillion as husband Murray Anderson, also 42, drove towards Makarora on State Highway 6, northwest of Wanaka about 2pm.

The couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in January, were on an annual memorial ride.

The family tradition started 14 years ago after Murray's father Graham and brother Donald died in a plane crash.

The motorbike hit a bank and attempts to save Natalie were unsuccessful.

"I don't know what to do or where to go. I still can't believe it," said Murray, who received minor injuries. Their 18-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son were "pretty cut up".

Murray said it was love at first sight when the pair met in Wanaka two decades ago. "She was such a beautiful person and a great mother and wife."

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw of Central Otago Police said inquiries were continuing but it appeared no other vehicle was involved.

In the North Island a 52-year-old woman died at the scene of a single car crash in Bunnythorpe, near Palmerston North, also about 2pm. Three children were in the back seat, two boys aged 9 and 6, and a girl aged 3.

The 9-year-old was fighting for his life in Palmerston North Hospital and the 6-year-old was transferred to Auckland's Starship Hospital in a critical condition. The condition of the 3-year-old was last night unclear.

A 28-year-old female passenger was transferred from Palmerston North to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition.

Police believe all five were from the same Feilding family.

The vehicle, believed to be a Ford Mondeo, ended up on the lawn of 21A Railway Rd after appearing to hit a power pole, then sliding through a fence, damaging the property. The property owner was putting his children to bed at the time and said he was too upset to talk.

Another resident, Raymond Benson, said: "The car broke glass in the front bedroom window, clipped the corner of the decking, and ended up beneath the cherry tree."

The third person to die was Benjamin Thompson, 24, killed in a single car crash on State Highway 2, about 3km south of Waipukurau in Hawke's Bay about 2.30am.

Senior Constable Cory Ubels said speed and the lack of a seatbelt were factors and investigations continued into whether drink was involved.

"Police are calling for all motorists to please take care when driving, drive to the conditions, wear your seatbelt and if you have consumed any alcohol then please do not drive a motor vehicle," he said.