"The land is flooded by the many tears that fall for our boys that have passed away this week."
These words, coming from Te Runaka o Awarua kaiwhakahaere Dean Whaanga at Bluff's Anzac Day parade yesterday, described the feelings of grief the community was experiencing after four teenagers were killed in a car crash last week.
About 200 members of the Bluff community gathered with Bluff RSA members at the town's cenotaph to remember those who had served and fought for New Zealand during wars.
However, the day was also to mourn the loss of Konnor Steele, 16, Indaka Rouse, 16, Kyah Kennedy, 16, all of Bluff, and O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawhai, 17, from Invercargill.
The teens were killed when the Ford Ranger they were in and a truck collided in Queens Dr on Friday.