Promising young rugby player Cale Tairua killed in Albury car crash

Cale Tairua, 18, died in a car crash on December 19 in Albury. Photo / Supplied

• Cale Tairua, a promising rugby player, was killed in a car crash on December 19.
• South Canterbury Rugby described Tairua as a loss to the rugby whānau far too early.
• A Givealittle page raised over $24,000 to support Tairua’s family with unexpected costs.

A promising rugby player who was killed in a car crash before Christmas has been described as an amazing young man who everyone loved.

An obituary said Cale Tairua was “tragically taken” in an accident on December 19.

Emergency services rushed to the car crash in Albury, about 81km from Timaru, just after 9.20pm.

Tairua was one of three people who died after two separate crashes in Canterbury that night.

The 18-year-old was described as an adored and loving son as well as a dearly loved brother and best friend.

Instead of flowers, the obituary said, donations to the Fairlie Fire Brigade would be gratefully accepted.

South Canterbury Rugby posted on social media that Tairua’s death was a loss to the rugby whānau far too early.

“Far more than a promising young rugby player, we remember a great young man.”

A post from 2023 on a Facebook page affiliated with Timaru Boys' High School congratulated Tairua for making it into the Crusaders Knights Camp.

“Cale is a great young player with enormous potential. We wish him well for the upcoming camp.”

Cale Tairua, 18, died in a car crash on 19 December 2024 in Albury and was a promising young rugby player. Photo / https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/a-life-lost-too-soon-cale-tompkins-tairua

A Givealittle page has been set up to support Tairua’s family with the unexpected costs they face after his death.

“It is sometimes so hard to know what to do in these situations but if you’re in a position to offer koha, please do,” the page said.

More than $24,000 has been raised so far.

“A tragic loss of a wonderful young man,” one person said on the page.

Another person said he was an amazing person who everyone loved.

“Absolutely devastating,” someone else said.

“A life cut short too soon. A wonderful mate. Our deepest sympathy.”

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.