The community of Tokoroa is in mourning after three schools confirmed their students were amongst those killed in a horrific car crash on Sunday.
- Horror crash in Atiamuri, north of Taupō
- 'They never get over it': Taupō Mayor's 'had a gutsful' after another fatal crash
Eight people died in the crash just north of Taupō after two cars collided in wet conditions. Newshub understands that a couple and five of their children were amongst those killed in the accident.
Their nine-year-old son was the sole survivor and is currently in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital after being airlifted there with critical injuries.
A long-serving member of Scouts New Zealand is understood to have died in the other vehicle involved.
Tokoroa North School, Tokoroa Intermediate and Tokoroa High School issued a joint statement on Monday expressing their grief at learning of the tragedy.
"We can confirm students from our schools have been involved, but we cannot confirm names as they have yet to be released by the police," the principal of Tokoroa North School Judith McLean told Newshub.
"We are currently putting support systems in place to support our staff, students and their whānau. This is our priority at this time."
Five people, all from the same family, died just 10km from the scene of Sunday's crash at the beginning of the month.
"It's getting ridiculous how often this is happening, I'm absolutely sick of it," Taupō Mayor David Trewava told The AM Show.
"I'm lost for words, I just don't know what to do - people have got to slow down."
Newshub.
