Teen killed on his 17th birthday

17 year old Fenn McCoach was killed when his car collided with a truck in Northland. Photo / Supplied

A teenager celebrating his 17th birthday was killed in a road crash yesterday - the second tragedy to strike the family after his mother died in a similar way a decade ago.

The father of teen victim Fenn McCoach drove to the Far North crash site yesterday morning but didn't know his son was involved.

Fenn was driving to school early - before he had even opened his birthday presents - so he could go on a day trip with his Year 13 classmates.

But soon after leaving his home at Hukerenui, he crossed the centreline and collided head-on with a truck about 7.45am.

His father, Dermot McCoach, headed to the scene after hearing of the crash from a neighbour - but he didn't know that Fenn was the victim.

He was 200m away stuck in the traffic jam when a neighbour on the side of the road told him his son had died.

Mr McCoach said a police officer had been parked close to the site, on speed patrol, so there were "reliable witnesses" to the collision.

"Basically there was ... some sort of lapse of concentration. [Fenn's] cellphone was in his pocket - he wasn't using it, he never does, and turns it off. But something distracted him and he ... went over the line. Unfortunately, he didn't get his one chance."

Neighbours told Mr McCoach that proceeding to the scene would be too traumatic so he went home. Police arrived soon afterwards.

Ten years ago, Fenn's mother died in a similar crash.

Yesterday's collision happened on SH1 about 300m south of Rusk Rd and closed the road for five hours.

Fenn, a student at Pompallier Catholic College in Whangarei, normally travelled with a carload of other teenagers, but was alone because he was scheduled to go on the class trip. It was postponed after the tragedy.

Mr McCoach said his son was a "popular, very unassuming and humble boy" who was into music, although his biggest passion was cars.

"Nine times out of 10 he usually had a car full of kids with him because he was such a good driver [and] everyone wants him to drive the kids to school. So the other kids made other arrangements."

Mr McCoach said he saw Fenn before he left for school yesterday morning. "He was all good and fine, but he hadn't opened his presents. I just said, 'Happy birthday, see you tonight'. And he was off - not in a hurry - he just toodled off like he did."

The school is a 40-minute drive away from the family home.

For Fenn's birthday, Mr McCoach had bought him an iPod touch. "He'd been asking for one for three years so I finally got him one."

Dan Carter, owner of Carters Bulkhaul, was the driver of the truck that collided with Fenn.

"The car just came across the centreline and he just kept on coming. I went left to avoid him and I just couldn't. He just kept on coming and I expected him to see me and swerve."

Mr Carter said the road was straight and a police car was parked on Fenn's side of the road.

"I think he was looking at the police car and not looking at where he was driving. He just drove across the road. I couldn't get out of his way ... I tried to miss him but I couldn't."

Mr Carter said the police car was well off the road. "It happened 20m away. That cop was just sh***ing himself. He got out and helped but there was nothing we could do for the kid."

The crash sounded like an explosion and the impact took out the truck's front and back wheels. "Then I went off the road and hit the bank and then went past the bank and into the ditch. I thought I was really in trouble and would roll the truck."

Mr McCoach said he and Fenn hadn't planned much for after school yesterday, but he usually would go swimming at a dam at the back of the farm on which the family live.

"We recently got a jetski so normally at the weekends he would twist everyone's arm [to do that]."

Fenn had three brothers and a sister who live in Auckland, Canterbury and the Waikato. Some of them were to have had dinner with him last night to celebrate his birthday.

Instead, family, friends and neighbours gathered at the family home to support Mr McCoach. "He was actually the only one living at home, so it will be quiet place from now on."

Crash investigator Jim Hawthorne from the Northland serious crash unit said inquiries into the accident were continuing but speed and alcohol were not expected to be found as factors.

Pompallier principal Richard Stanton said students gathered in prayer and song when they heard the news.

"Fenn had just commenced his fifth year of education at the college. Teachers speak of him as being insightful and having the ability to apply skills to a wide range of issues."

Fenn's family said he had recently completed an Outward Bound course that had boosted his confidence.