Marina Liebl has been named as the third victim in a horror smash that claimed the life of a Southland couple.
Marina Liebl has been named as the third victim in a horror smash that claimed the life of a Southland couple.
A young German backpacker killed in a horror smash that claimed three lives had only just started her New Zealand holiday.
According to posts in German on the Backpacker Neuseeland Facebook page, Marina Liebl arrived in the country on Tuesday and was starting her New Zealand adventure in the south.
The 22-year-old headed straight to Queenstown before embarking on a trip that was expected to last into summer.
"I have now arrived in Queenstown. My first destination in New Zealand," she wrote on Thursday.
She also invited anyone in the southern resort town to join her exploring the area.
Just three days later her trip was brutally cut short when she was killed on the Dipton-Winton Highway late Sunday night when the car she was in collided with another.
Southland couple, Jesse Phillip Ariki Douglas Shortland and his Samantha Jayde Shortland, both 28, also died in the crash, leaving their two children orphaned.
The couple's children - 2-month-old Heath and 2-year-old Skylar - were flown to Kew Hospital in Invercargill. The toddler had moderate injuries and the baby suffered minor injuries.
Police today said the Serious Crash Unit was continuing to investigate the deadly smash.
Jesse and Samantha Shortland were driving back from Jesse's father's funeral in Hokitika the crash happened, near Ladbrook Rd, about 9.30pm on Sunday.
Police said yesterday the children were still being treated for non-life-threatening injuries and were being supported by family members.
Jesse and Samie Shortland were killed in a crash in Southland on Sunday night leaving their two children orphaned. Photo / Facebook
Samie Shortland's aunt, Lucille Ronald, told the Herald yesterday her sister, Samie Shortland's mother, was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
''[Samie's mum] is in bits.''
The couple had followed Samie's parents to New Zealand from Australia about July to start a new life in Invercargill. Shortland is a New Zealander.
''They absolutely loved it and reckoned they should have done it years ago.''
Jesse's aunt, former NZ First MP Ria Bond, said the family had gathered in Invercargill and were "reeling in devastation".
"It's been a triple tragedy for our family.
''My nephew's father [died] last week. We buried him on Saturday in Hokitika. That's why we were all there and unfortunately we've lost our nephew and niece as well.''
