Booze probe in fiery fatal Mansfield crash as tributes paid to victims
Tributes are flowing for the four Pacific Island men who died in a fiery smash in Victoria’s northeast as police investigate whether alcohol played a part in the tragedy.
Police & Courts
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Devastated loved ones of four men killed in a fiery car wreck near Mansfield on Sunday have paid tribute to the group, as police investigate whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.
David Gasologa, Aperaamo “Amo” Tapelu Filemu Aleka, Darrick Amouta Peleti and Alesana Anetelea were killed in the “catastrophic” crash on Mansfield-Woods Point Rd in Piries in the early hours of November 12.
The colleagues, who had recently come to Australia from the Pacific Islands to work as fruit pickers, were travelling in a rented Kia van when it hit an embankment and spun out of control, ramming into a tree and bursting into flames.
Mr Gasologa’s sister remembered him as the centre of his family’s world.
“He breaks a circle of nine siblings,” she said.
“He was quite humble and he was everyone’s favourite.
“He’s dearly missed.”
Mr Gasologa had only recently become engaged, with his fiancee Vaelei A Von Dincklage sharing a photo of the pair smiling at each other – the last shot of them together before he left for Australia.
“You really are not coming back to me,” the caption read.
“I’ll see you on the other side babey (sic).
“I was patiently waiting for your return.”
Mr Anetelea’s sister-in-law paid tribute to her “bro”, who had only been in Australia for four months.
“We love you and we will always remember you in our heart,” she said.
“Rest in love dearest bro, Alesana.”
Others said they were “shocked and in disbelief” at the news of his death.
“May your soul rest in the loving arms of our saviour,” one friend wrote.
“Rest easy my brother Alesana Anetelea,” another said.
Tributes are also flowing for Aperaamo “Amo” Tapelu Filemu Aleka in the wake of the horror crash.
“Fly high my dearest bro,” one friend wrote.
“I want to see you and hold you again.
“Rest in love.”
Mansfield Christian Fellowship pastor Nathan Bargerbos said the situation was “tragic”.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said the men were believed to have been returning from a social event at Macs Cove on Lake Eildon when the tragedy unfolded.
Determining if alcohol was a factor in the crash would be a “key component” of the investigation, he said.
“We believe they consumed alcohol, jumped back in the car (going) towards the house where they live and the collision’s occurred coming around a slight bend … (where they) have lost control and ended up hitting a tree and bursting into flames,” he said.
He said the road was in good condition and not heavily used.
“There’s absolutely no reason that if everyone’s obeying all the road rules that that sort of thing should happen,” he said.
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