Police have released the name of a woman who died when a car plunged into a creek in Nelson yesterday.
She was Janice Anne Fa'avae, 68.
Mrs Fa'avae died when the car carrying her, her husband Filemoni, 69, and 2-year-old grandson Ali Fa'avae-Mika, went into Saltwater Creek off QEll Drive about midday yesterday.
In a statement today, her family expressed their gratitude to the people who helped rescue Mr Fa'avae and Ali, as well as police, hospital staff and emergency services.
Ali was flown to Auckland's Starship Hospital last night and Mr Fa'Avae was recovering in Nelson Hospital. Four bystanders plunged into the freezing creek to rescue the family when they became trapped in the submerged car.
The men punched through a window and saved Mr Fa'avae and Ali but were unable to save Mrs Fa'avae.
Nelson police hailed the men as heroes.
They were passing as the vehicle crashed into an estuary at the noon high tide.
Paua diver Philip Walker, 53, said several attempts were needed to free Mrs Fa'avae, who was caught in the crashed car by her seatbelt.
He freed her by unclicking her seatbelt and pulled her out through an open front passenger door but ambulance staff were unable to revive her and she died at the scene.
Nelson fire station officer Brian O'Donnell said Mrs Fa'avae was under water for more than six minutes.
