An elderly couple married for more than 60 years are confirmed to have been the two people killed in a three-car crash south of Christchurch.
Norman and Gloria Hawkins, aged in their 80s, died after their car crossed the centreline and collided with two vehicles along State Highway 1 in Chertsey, Canterbury, shortly after 7pm on Thursday.
According to a death notice published on Saturday, the couple were married for 62 “beautiful years” and “now never apart”.
It described the couple as “adored Grandad sore-knees and Supergran” to their great-grandchildren, “special” grandparents and “dearly loved and cherished” parents.
“Our hearts are absolutely broken to lose you both, but we find peace in knowing you are still together,” the death notice said.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday that inquiries were continuing to determine the circumstances of the crash.
Two other people were injured in the accident, one seriously and one moderately.
The New Zealand Herald understands the couple’s car was travelling south when it crossed the centreline and hit a northbound vehicle which crashed into a second car heading north.
The couple, who died at the scene, were residents at Lochlea Lifestyle Resort in Ashburton.
The accident was the second serious crash in Canterbury in a week after a car carrying eight teens crashed into a fence and rolled near Rakaia on Sunday, June 21.
