Flashback to another senseless tragedy

The death of two teens in a horror car accident has brought flashbacks to Hawke's Bay's mayors of another teen tragedy just four years ago.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule offered his condolences to the families of Max Harman, 19, and Robert Waikari, 17, who died when they were thrown from a van on State Highway 50 near Taradale early on Saturday.

"It's horrendously sad," he said. "My heart goes out to the parents."

He said it brought memories of an accident in 2005 involving six Hastings teens. A 1990 Mazda Familia was travelling at up to 130km/h when it hit a tree.

Four of those teens were killed and two were critically injured.

"I think the message has actually got through to teenagers about drinking and driving ... I can't quite understand how this has happened."

Napier deputy mayor Kathie Furlong said: "It's a tragedy. It's very sad."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY