A mother quoted in this story said the death of a child was the worst pain any parent could go through.
She was addressing Coroner Wallace Bain at inquests into the sudden deaths of five young people in as many months. But she could be speaking for so manyothers - including the parents of those killed on our roads.
No one could pretend to know the agony these mother and fathers have experienced unless they've been in their shoes.
But credit should go to those trying to do something about this tragic loss of young life in what seems like an endless stream: road safety exponents like Jodie Lawson at the Rotorua District Council; He Whanau Kotahi Tatou, a youth support group formed in the wake of a spate of Kawerau teen deaths; the organisers of forums and hui on suicide; Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell, who called in this column for action; and Dr Bain, whose hearings we hope will provide some insight and potentially some answers.
For our part, we believe raising and maintaining awareness of these issues - whether road fatalities, suicide or other sudden youth deaths - promotes discussion, debate and ideally action.
As one grandfather said at this week's hearings: "These sudden deaths should be talked about."
He's right. How can a community come together to address its issues unless the community is aware of the full scope and nature of the problem?
These stories of suffering and loss don't make pretty reading - and nor should they - but they need to be told.
