Waikouaiti crash death: Mother of five a ‘beautiful firecracker’, family say

A mother-of-five who died in crash in Waikouaiti, east Otago, will be remembered as a “beautiful firecracker”, family say.

Kat Broad was the passenger in a single-vehicle crash in State Highway 1, at the intersection with Thomas St, late on Monday.

The 29-year-old driver, who cannot be named because of a court-imposed suppression order, remains in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

The Dunedin District Court heard yesterday that charges were “likely”.

A Givealittle page has been set up by Broad’s family to pay for funeral costs and living expenses for her children.

“We lost our mother yesterday due to a tragic accident and need support as she’s left 5 children and an unborn grandchild behind,” her daughter Tara wrote.

Police at the scene of the crash yesterday morning. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

“Kat was a beautiful firecracker and she will be missed very much we are devastated and need your help.”

Tributes to the victim had also poured in on Facebook since the news of Broad’s death had spread.

Ness Clark fondly recalled their days at Taieri College.

“I hope you have passed to a beautiful place where loved ones and happiness awaits,” she wrote online.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said speed and alcohol were believed to be factors in the crash and a blood sample had been taken from the driver.

The man had been placed under arrest on unrelated matters and consented to remand in custody until next week.

Judge David Robinson imposed interim name suppression to run until that appearance.

Counsel Andrew Dawson told the court yesterday his client was “conscious but in a great deal of pain”.