Tongan prince and princess killed in car crash

Prince Tu'ipelehake was the King of Tonga's nephew. Picture / Richard Robinson

A Tongan prince and princess have been killed in a car crash in San Francisco, local media have reported.

Matangi Tonga said HRH Prince Tu'ipelehake - a nephew of the King of Tonga - Princess Kaimana and their driver Vinisia Hefa died after a teenage driver hit their car at Menlo Park near Palo Alto.

It quoted Tonga's Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Vainga Tone, as saying the government was waiting for an autopsy report before making an official announcement.

"We haven't got confirmation from the Consul General because the coroner is still working on the autopsy and they need time to identify the fingerprints. But if it is true, it is very sad news indeed," Mr Tone told the website.

The Associated Press news agency in San Francisco said California authorities had confirmed that two members of the Tongan royal family were killed in a car crash near Palo Alto.

The San Francisco Chronicle had earlier reported that three people died after a car driven by an 18-year-old woman tried to pass another vehicle at high speed and struck the driver's side.

Edith Delgado was arrested on suspcision of vehicular manslaughter and being involved in a speed contest, it said.

Prince Tu'ipelehake was the Nobles' number 3 representative for Tongatapu in Tonga's Legislative Assembly.

Educated in New Zealand and Britain, he was a leading advocate of greater democracy in the kingdom.

The National Party's associate foreign affairs spokesman, John Hayes, said he had been shocked by the news.

"The prince was chair of Tonga's committee looking at democracy and political reform," he said.

"I met him two-and-a-half weeks ago when he was in New Zealand to consult with the local Tongan community on this issue. His committee was to report to Parliament in August."

Mr Hayes said the prince was a sensible and popular member of Tongan nobility.

"He made a unique contribution to democratic reform in Tonga, and will be remembered for that.

"His passing is a serious blow for Tonga and the wider region."

News of the crash comes the week of the King of Tonga's 88th birthday celebrations.

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV returned to Tonga for his July 5 birthday after receiving medical treatment in Auckland.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF