One of three young men killed in a fiery crash in Levin had moved to the area just two weeks ago to start afresh.
Brothers Shand Cotgrove and Jesse Hayne, and their friend Jacob Gray, died when their car hit a parked truck and trailer just after midnight on Sunday, before bursting into flames.
Dozens of friends and family attended a memorial at the crash site – an intersection in a residential neighbourhood – on Monday.
Zoe Schoultz, who grew up with the brothers in Porirua, spoke to Newshub after laying flowers at the site.
“The world does cruel things, doesn’t it?” the 24-year-old said.
Ms Schoultz says Mr Cotgrove moved to Levin two weeks ago to start afresh with his child and partner.
She says the brothers were best mates and the family is in shock.
“No one has even come to terms with what’s happened … we all think they’re going to turn up … it’s not quite sunk in yet.”
It’s believed Mr Cotgrove and Mr Gray are in their 20s and Mr Hayne is 18. All three attended Aotea College in Porirua and would often spend weekends together.
Flowers, cards and letters have been left at the crash scene.
One read: “Your mum loves you forever my boy. My favourite son. Love mum x x x”.
Another read: “My darling grandson Jacob, forever in my heart. Love Nana”.
Friends also posted tributes online.
"Rest easy Shand, Jacob and Jesse. I'll never forget all the memories we shared growing up at school with all the boys," one friend said.
"I don't usually post but Shand, Jesse and Jacob ... I cried for the first time in years ... I love you guys so much, I'm sorry seriously don't know how to feel," said a second friend.
The aftermath of the crash was filmed by a neighbour. Footage shows the car on fire, wedged under the trailer on Cambridge Street. The explosions echoed around the quiet suburban road and neighbours ran outside to try and help.
Truck owner Brian Spencer says the force shunted the 50 tonne truck a metre and a half, although there’s speculation online the impact of the tyres bursting may have contributed.
Truck driver Marcus Anderson, who lives a block from where he had parked the vehicle, says he was woken by police about 1am. He arrived at the crash scene when the car and truck were still ablaze.
He told Newshub it is an absolute tragedy and his thoughts are with the family.
Mr Anderson believes, based on damage to the truck, the men had been racing and he hopes young drivers learn a lesson from the tragedy.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the coroner.
Newshub.
