2 Samoan RSE workers killed in horrific car crash

28 August 2024 – It’s a heart breaking story as two Samoa RSE workers who were returning home this week were killed in a major car crash in Auckland Monday this week.

Media reports compared the crash to that of a scene from a horror movie unfolding on the Auckland Motorway between Bombay and the small town of Ramarama just before 2pm on Monday afternoon.

New Zealand Immigration national manager Pacific Loua Ward said that five Recognised Seasonal Employer Samoan workers employed at Eastpack’s Ōpōtiki site were passengers in the van involved.

She said a family member of one of the RSE workers was driving the van, transporting the group to Auckland to see family members before they returned to Samoa this Thursday.

“Sadly, the driver and two of the workers were killed in the accident, while the other three passengers are receiving medical care in the hospital.

One of the mangled cars involved in the crash.

Eastpack Ōpōtiki’s site manager Tai Shepherd said they were all “extremely shocked and heartbroken” to hear the news.

“They were great human beings that were an important part of our team and we feel for their loved ones.”

The crash involved a truck and three other vehicles, which brought the busy thoroughfare to a grinding halt.

Emergency services and bystanders rushed through debris strewn across the motorway and car wrecks to treat the wounded – some in their vehicles, others lying on the road – an image one resident says will stick with her for a long time.

Three people died, all from the same car, while three others were seriously hurt and others were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

A witness said it appeared the truck had been travelling south when it blew a tyre and crossed on to the northbound side, ripping through the barrier wires and hitting a van.

Twisted and broken wire median barriers marked the path of one vehicle, but exactly how the crash happened is still yet to be determined.