Three Tongans killed in Taupo crash laid to rest

Three Tongans from Auckland, New Zealand who died following a crash involving two vehicles on State Highway 1 in Hatepe, south of Taupo on Saturday 4 May had been laid to rest.

Joseph Steven Takau, 41, Viliami Tatofi Fifita, 22, and Siale O’Failoto Koloi, 22, were all travelling in the van, that collided with a truck about 4.15am.

Koloi was buried yesterday at Manukau Memorial Garden in Papatoetoe. It is understood Takau and Fifita’s burial services had been held over the weekend.

St John sent two ambulances and staff treated all three people but they died at the scene between Rotongaio Rd and Hinemaiaia Access Rd, New Zealand Herald reported.

The truck driver was taken to Taupō Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

“Our thoughts are with their friends of families at this tragic time,” Police said.

The Serious Crash unit continues to investigate the cause of the crash.

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