Three members of an Indian family from Bangalore and a US couple from Florida were among the eight people killed in northern New Zealand when their van slammed into a truck in a rain storm, police said today.
The privately chartered tourist van was ripped in half yesterday when it hit the timber-laden truck near the town of Morrinsville in Waikato province on North Island.
Police spokeswoman Kris McGehan said the eight were killed almost instantly and a ninth seriously injured.
Indian couple Vellore Thirumuthy, 50, his wife Suchitra Thirumuthy, 42 and their daughter Urmila Thirumuthy, 18, all died in the smash.
The couple's 20-year-old daughter Ahalya Thirumuthy, remains critically ill in Waikato Hospital with head and internal injuries.
Police initially said the 18-year-old had survived the smash.
The American couple were identified as Gregory James Megas, 57, and his wife Donna Lee Megas, 45, of Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Driver of the Mercedes minibus was New Zealand national George Gibson, 66, a tour driver-guide with 10 year's experience on the route. He died in the smash.
Police said they were still trying to contact the relatives of a 42-year-old Thai woman and a man, believed to be French and in his 60s. Their names have yet to be released.
{{/usCountry}}Police said they were still trying to contact the relatives of a 42-year-old Thai woman and a man, believed to be French and in his 60s. Their names have yet to be released.
{{/usCountry}}Sen. Sgt. Ross Ardern of Morrinsville police said investigation of the crash would take several weeks to complete.