Flowers at the scene of a crash that killed Jan and John Christensen on State Highway 30 near Hannah Rd. Photo / Alex Cairns, supplied
A heartbroken daughter has shared her family’s shock and sadness after her parents’ lives were “tragically taken” yesterday in a crash near their Hannah’s Bay home.
She said her dad had been slowly recovering after a “nasty fall” six weeks ago and her mum had been “his and our pillar of strength over these weeks”.
“We were optimistic that they would be once more off travelling again to add to their 200+ countries. Now they have taken their final journey to Heaven.
“We believe that making that last journey together had always been their desire.”
She said in the widely-shared post that the family were “still in shock” and making arrangements to celebrate “these gorgeous people and their incredible life”.
Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand vehicles, as well as four Hato Hone St John ambulances, were at the crash.
The police statement on Monday night said three people remained in Rotorua Hospital with serious injuries.
An investigation into the crash continues.
A St John spokesman earlier said four people had been taken to hospital by ambulance.
At that stage, three were in critical condition and one in serious condition.
Police and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi confirmed about 3.50pm State Highway 30 had reopened.