Who will die on Shortland Street?

A horror crash will this week claim the life of one of Shortland Street's best-loved stars - but just who is killed is still anyone's guess.

In the soap's biggest disaster storyline this year, new father Tama Hudson, played by David Wikaira-Paul, drives his car into a power pole in Thursday's episode.

In the car are promising rugby player Eti Kawaka (Isaac Bell), Eti's girlfriend Scarlett Valentine (Nicole Thomson) and engaged couple Li Mei Chen (Li-Ming Hu) and Norman Hanson (Jacob Tomuri).

Shortland Street producer Jason Daniel said the on-screen tragedy had been planned for months.

"This is a biggie because we're going to lose someone, but we're actually going more for the dramatic aftermath than the big stunt."

The repercussions of the accident would also be felt in fictional Ferndale for months. "It's not just a question of who lives and who dies," said Mr Daniel.

"One character will also have trouble getting back in a car again - that becomes the beginning of quite a long-term story."

Mr Daniel stressed the show was anxious not to exploit the horror of car crashes given the recent spate of fatal accidents involving teen drivers.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY