Photo: Screenshot from video.
Five teens killed in accident: Tragedy struck in Timaru a month before triple murder
New Zealand police said the murder would be “incredibly distressing” for Timaru residents as five boys from the town died last month.
Photo: Screenshot from video.
Timaru in Canterbury, New Zealand, was home to a fatal crash that killed five teenage boys in August. The New Zealand Police said the triple murder of three South African girls in September could add to the distress the town was already feeling and therefore support would be provided to the community.
TIMARU CAR CRASH
Three South African girls – twin girls aged two and their older sister aged six – were found dead at their home near Tiramu Hospital on Thursday night, 16 September.
The suspected killer – a 40-year-old woman – was arrested and charged with the murder of the girls on Friday, 17 September, and she is expected to appear before the Timaru District Court on Saturday morning, according to Detective Inspector Scott Anderson.
“While the family involved are recent arrivals to Timaru, we know that this incident will be incredibly distressing for Timaru residents, particularly coming so soon after the town lost five of their young people in a crash,” said Aoraki Area Commander, Inspector Dave Gaskin.
“Police are working with our partner agencies to ensure that support is wrapped around those most directly affected by the tragic events of last night, and the wider community and we urge anyone who needs support to reach out.”
The fatal crash referred to by the New Zealand Police is one of the worst motor vehicle accidents in the history of the South Island. Five teenagers – aged 15 and 16 – were killed in the crash in Washdyke, Timaru on the evening of 7 August. Only the driver, 19-year-old Tyrese Fleming, survived the accident.
The car the victims were travelling in collided with a pole and the vehicle split in half on impact. The police initially said speed was a likely factor in the crash and that it was evident that not everyone in the car was wearing their seatbelts.
“To have five lives lost in an instant is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with their families,” said Superintendent Steve Greally. “Particularly in a small community, the impact of a crash like this stretches far, and everyone in the area will be hurting.”
Alcohol is also being considered as a likely factor in the crash, according to The New Zealand Herald. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing and the driver may be found liable for what took place.
