Tributes for ute crash children

More than 300 adults and children gathered at a Mosgiel chapel yesterday to farewell the brother and sister killed in a runaway ute last week on a farm at Hindon in Otago.

Mourners at the funeral of Cody Keenan, 4, and Hayley Keenan, 19 months, were greeted with children's songs.

Hymns were replaced with Cody's favourite song, I Love You, and Hayley's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

The two were killed when the ute they were in rolled 168m down a steep hill. Their father Andrew tried in vain to catch it.

Cody and Hayley lived short but full lives, the Rev Selwyn Yeoman told Mr Keenan and his wife, Natalie.

"Yours is an unimaginable tragedy. There are very few of us who can begin to enter into your experience.

"So many people are here to offer comfort and support, but we know that it is not enough. Nothing can fill the void."

The children's sister, 7-year-old Alysha, summed them up in a tribute she wrote for them.

"Cody and Hayley were my family. Cody and Hayley were my brother and sister. Cody and Hayley can still see us. Cody and Hayley cared about others."

- NZPA