Friends of those killed in a horror car crash in Hamilton on Friday night have expressed their grief at their deaths.
Lance Tyrone Robinson, 28, of Waipa, Paul De Silva, 20, of Waipa, Hannah Lei Strickett-Craze, 24, of Waipa, and 19-year-old Jason McCormick Ross, of Taranaki were killed when the white Nissan Skyline they were travelling in took a corner on the wrong side of the road, lost control and crashed into a van just before 10pm.
Ms Strickett-Craze, who is the mother of a four-year-old boy, was described as an "amazing person with such a big heart" by her friend Melissa Wilson.
"Hannah was just such an amazing person with a heart of gold. Her memories will be cherished forever. It's such a tragedy and my thoughts are with her family, friends and her beautiful son."
Mr De Silva's friend Nic Hickmet says his mate was "an awesome guy" who was "always a good time to be around."
Investigations into the crash are ongoing and police still want to speak to anybody who may have seen the Skyline in Te Awamutu or Ohaupo between 9:30pm and the time of impact.
The driver of the van also involved was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including fractured legs where he remained last night.
Steve Hartland, who lives nearby, said he was watching television when he "heard a couple of cars screaming down the road".
"When I got out there, there was a Skyline ripped in half. The front half was on the road, the second half was up against the airport security fence."
Mr Hartland says after the initial bang, he heard another vehicle speed off, as if the two cars might have been racing. It's not unusual for drivers to speed in the area at night, he says.
"I'm waiting for the day that one comes through my place -- it's not if, it's when."
Inspector Freda Grace said police had heard about the possibility of a second vehicle, and were investigating it.
"We have witnesses that have indicated that potentially there was another vehicle involved -- and we are continuing with our inquiries to establish exactly what part to play that vehicle had in it."
She said the crash was "very, very disappointing" and a tragedy for both the families of the victims and the wider Waikato community.
Inspector Grace said police are also investigating whether street racing and alcohol consumption contributed to the crash -- but said speeding was the thing police were "really concerned" about.
"We're working very closely with the New Zealand Transport Agency and the regional council around speed management for the Waikato District," she said.
"It's just a matter of physics -- the faster you go the bigger the mess -- so speed is very important to us. We're working hard with our partner agencies to achieve some better outcomes for this district in that area."
Police say the Nissan was seen travelling with a second vehicle, a small white hatchback with possibly tinted windows. Both vehicles were reportedly seen together in the Ohaupo village just before the crash.
It brings the total number of fatal crashes in Waikato this year to 25; compared to the 20 recorded at the same time last year.
Thirty-four people have been killed as a result of these incidents.
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