The parents of a teenager killed in a crash near Reporoa have told a coroner's court of their anger at losing their son in a tragedy they say was caused by "negligence and carelessness".
Queensland teacher Andre Vogel, 36, and student Gabriel Runge, 16, were killed last November when the van Mr Vogel was driving crossed the centre line on State Highway 5, colliding with a milk tanker. Six other students and one other teacher from Noosa Pengari Steiner School Community were also injured.
The Runge and Vogel families were in Rotorua today, nearly a year on from the crash, to attend an inquest conducted by coroner Dr Wallace Bain.
Gabriel's parents, Pamela and Derrick Runge, told the inquest of the "immeasurable pain" they felt losing their son, who was in New Zealand on a school hiking trip.
"When the heart-wrenching news was conveyed to us across the Tasman it shattered our lives forever and shook me to my core," said Mr Runge.
"I miss Gabriel immeasurably. I miss his beautiful interactions with his brother and mother, I miss his singing and his beautiful smile. He was such a good, fine young man -- we adored him.
"He was the innocent victim of this tragedy and he deserved better. To lose Gabriel in such a careless way has nearly destroyed us," Mr Runge said.
"We consider the school to have seriously breached our trust. We handed Gabriel over to the school in the faith that he would be looked after and they have failed to do that."
Mrs Runge described her son as an angel who she yearned and cried for "every hour of every day".
"It was no coincidence that he was named after the angel Gabriel for that is who he was in real life -- an angel that shone his light for all whom he touched.
"I feel angry the life of my son was compromised by carelessness and negligence. The loss of my precious son is something I will never be able to get over."
Inspector Kevin Taylor told the court it had been deduced that fatigue was a major factor in Mr Vogel crossing the centre line.
New Zealand Army medical officer, Major Charmaine Tate, gave further evidence on the effect of fatigue.
The group had just completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and was returning to Rotorua when the crash happened.
Patricia Jeffree, the other teacher in the van, gave evidence via telephone and said at no point did she remember thinking Mr Vogel was fatigued.
Oliver Vogel spoke briefly of his brother's "exceptional love and care for all".
"In our hearts we know of Andre's love for helping young people grow into exceptional adults. He was always helping others, often sacrificing time with his own children and family for his students."
The inquest was adjourned and is expected to reconvene before the end of the year.
- By Stephanie Arthur-Worsop of the Rotorua Daily Post
