Picton crash: Heartfelt tribute as family killed in New Zealand crash named

The grieving family of the seven people who died in a horrific crash near Picton on Sunday are in disbelief after the unspeakable loss.

The grieving family of the seven people who died in a horrific crash on New Zealand’s south island on Sunday are in disbelief after losing their loved ones in the blink of an eye.

Immediate and extended family, along with friends, are gathered at the family home, awaiting news about one of the crash‘s two survivors, who is currently undergoing surgery after being placed in a coma.

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, 21-year-old David Lagud was still in shock while he talks about his much-loved family members who died driving north on State Highway 1 towards Picton yesterday when the van they were travelling in collided with a truck about 7.30am.

Among those dead were married couple Paul and Diseree Brown, 61 and 48, and their youngest son Mark, 14.

Diseree‘s sister Divine Dolar, 56, and Divine’s daughter Flordeliza Dolar, 19, also perished.

Two of Diseree‘s sons who also travelled – Pedro Clariman, 26, and Luie Lagud, 16 – survived but the latter was in a coma and undergoing surgery this afternoon after suffering significant injuries to his spine and head.

Diseree had three other children who did not travel – David, Princess and Joanna.

From left: Flordeliza Dolar, 19, Divine Dolar, 56, name withheld, Mika Clariman (baby), Diseree Brown, Paul Brown's mum, Paul Brown, Mark Lagud (front, blue jacket), Pedro Clariman (back), Luie Lagud (right, green jacket).

Tragically, Pedro‘s partner died in the crash, along with his daughter Mika, who was barely 10 months old.

The collision, which left the van completely destroyed, was the most deadly incident on New Zealand roads since April 2019 when eight people died in a head-on crash near Taupo.

The nine family members had travelled to Dunedin from Auckland in a length-of-the-country road trip in a Toyota Hiace van to farewell Paul‘s aunt who had recently passed away. The funeral was held last week.

They left Dunedin on Saturday afternoon and stayed overnight with a friend in Christchurch before continuing their journey home, leaving at 2.30am yesterday so they could make their ferry crossing to the North Island.

David hadn‘t gone on the trip because he had to work at the local Pak ’n Save supermarket in Pukekohe and also because he suffered from motion sickness.

He last heard from Pedro‘s partner on Saturday night, asking him to feed the bird.

He also missed a call from Pau– - his stepfathe– - on Saturday night. Paul later texted David asking him to clean the house prior to their expected arrival home late on Sunday night.

The aftermath of the crash. Picture: George Heard/NZ Herald

The crash occurred on Sunday morning south of Picton. Picture: George Heard/NZ Herald

That was the last contact David had with his family prior to the crash.

“It‘s just shocking, to happen that fast,” David said.

“In a blink of an eye, it‘s all gone.”

David had spoken to his brother Pedro since the crash, who was being supported by his two sisters while he and Luie were in Wellington Hospital.

David said Pedro had minor injuries and was able to walk, albeit with difficulty.

According to Pedro‘s account told to David, Pedro had been driving when the family left Christchurch, allowing Pau– - in the front passenger sea– - to sleep for almost four hours in addition to the rest he got in Christchurch.

After that, Paul swapped with Pedro to drive the rest of the journey to the ferry.

Paul was reportedly well-rested when he took the wheel, David said.

Before falling asleep after his stint at the wheel, it‘s understood Pedro had some time playing with his baby Mika.

Asleep at the time of the crash, it‘s believed Pedro woke up to a scene of carnage and tragedy.

“He saw my dad‘s body on the road and then my brother Luie, he was awake and then he collapsed,” David said.

“Then the next minute, the helicopter was there, taking my little brother to the hospital.”

Early reports suggested the van had crossed the centreline before hitting the truck.

The family are eager to see the results of an investigation to gain understanding of what might have happened.

David said his brother Pedro was grief-stricken after hearing his partner and child were dead.

“He was devastated, he was crying a lot.

“Both of his loves are gone.”

This article originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Picton crash: Heartfelt tribute as family killed in New Zealand crash named