Father just getting a start in life

The family of a young man killed in a three-car pile-up say he had just found his feet in life.

Fraser Douglas Nathan, 23, died after the Holden Commodore he was travelling in hit a power pole on State Highway 34, northeast of Kawerau, on Saturday evening.

Mr Nathan was initially thought to be the driver, but it has been confirmed that he was a passenger in the vehicle.

He left behind a partner, aged 18, and a 1-year-old daughter.

Mr Nathan's family told the Herald he had recently got a "fantastic" job in a freezing works and was looking forward to a fresh start living in central Hawkes Bay.

"They were doing so well for themselves. Things were coming right. They finally got their feet on the ground and this happens," said the mother of his partner, who did not want to be named.

"He's left behind a family. My daughter's devastated and they have a 1-year-old baby."

She said the family were inconsolable, and frustrated that his body had not been released to them.

"We're still in shock that he's gone. It's the way he's gone ... We can't even see him, say goodbye, 'cause his body's in Auckland. We are still waiting to get our boy back.

"He had a huge, loving family. Everybody loved him.

"He didn't have one bad bone in his body."

At first the fatal accident was thought to be a two-car crash, but the serious crash unit has confirmed that a third vehicle was involved.

The car in which Mr Nathan was a passenger clipped the back of a four-wheel-drive it was travelling behind on the open road. The 4WD then rolled.