Neighbours of couple, missing presumed dead in volcano eruption, say they loved to travel
Neighbours of the beautiful, hard-working young couple, Richard Elzer and Karla Matthews of Cardiff are devastated by news the pair are missing, presumed dead in New Zealand.
Newcastle
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Neighbours of NSW couple Karla Matthews, 32, and Richard Elzer, 32, who are missing presumed dead following a massive volcano eruption in New Zealand, say they’re “shocked” and saddened by the news.
In a heart-wrenching twist, their neighbours revealed the couple planned to start their own family upon return from the trip.
The pair from Coffs Harbour moved to Newcastle earlier this year and had lived in a quiet block of units in Cardiff since April.
Those that surrounded them described them as “beautiful” young people, that were friendly but mostly kept to themselves.
Next door neighbour Rod Dawson said he was devastated when he heard the news.
“It’s very sad news that in our little community, here of all our villas, that they were unfortunately on the trip that went to the island and the volcano went off and they’re not coming home,” Mr Dawson said.
“They were a good, kind, hard working couple who wanted to get their holidays out of the way and they were going to start a family after Christmas.
“It tears the heart out of you to know somebody next door went on a holiday enjoying themselves and not going to return home again, it’s very sad.”
With their car still in the garage and pegs still on the line, neighbours said it was unbelievable to think they won’t be returning.
Neighbour Rosalyn Dent said she knew them as a hard working couple, who seemed deeply in love.
“It touched my heart that he really cared about and loved his girlfriend... and I thought they really cared about each other,” Ms Dent said.
“Really lovely couple that seemed to be working hard for their future but also enjoying themselves along the way and were young and adventurous.
“Richard was just a really nice guy, really friendly and always said hello when we took the whizz bins out and they always waved and said hi.
“Their life has been cut so short, it’s absolutely unbelievable.”
Another neighbour said they were the “perfect neighbours”, didn’t make any noise and were friendly.
Devastated friends of Karla and Richard issued a statement saying that the pair had tragically lost their lives on White Island.
Their friend, Jason Griffiths, 33, has died in hospital, where he was “surrounded by friends and family members”.
“On the 4th of December 2019, we embarked upon a cruise as a group of nine close friends who were looking forward to a wonderful holiday together,” the statement, which was signed Alex, Daniel, Ellie, Leanne, Paul and Samantha, said.
“We enjoyed the first five days of our trip and have many memories that will stay with us forever. On the 9th of December 2019, we were devastated by the news that three of our friends were visiting White Island on a shore excursion during the time of the eruption.
“Some time later, we discovered that two of our friends, Richard Elzer and Karla Mathews, were still on the island. We have been advised that there are no signs of life on the island.
“We then located our third friend, Jason Griffiths, in a hospital in the early hours of the next morning. From that moment until the moment of his passing, Jason was surrounded by friends and family members.
“We are incredibly saddened to have lost three of our closest friends.”