What we know about the Waverley crash victims

Seven people lost their lives when two cars collided head-on in Waverley, south Taranaki on Wednesday morning.

Six people died at the scene of the crash on SH3 near the Waverley Race Course, one passed away in Waikato Hospital on Thursday morning and an eighth person is in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital.

In the car travelling north was Rosalie Porteous, Ian Porteous, Ora Keene, Brenda Williams from Waverley.

In the car travelling south was Jeremy Thompson, Shady Thompson, Nivek Madams from Whanganui were in a car travelling southbound.

Waverley is a small tight-knit community, at the last census it had 798 residents. Four of those killed in the crash were elderly locals and members of the Waverley Bowling Club.

The details of how the collision occurred are not clear, and the Serious Crash Unit investigation is ongoing.

Flowers and a teddy at the crash site.
Flowers and a teddy at the crash site. Photo credit: Newshub

Here is what we know at this stage:

Rosalie Porteous, 76:

Rosalie and her husband Ian had been married for 54 years and were "extremely loving family people", their family said in a statement. Rosalie was active on social media to keep up with what her family was doing, and was known for making beautiful handmade cards.

Ian Porteous, 80:

Ian's family said he had "an awesome cheeky sense of humour" and was "extremely proud of all his grandchildren and was often found on the sidelines at their sports events".

Waverley locals Ian and Rosalie Porteous were married for 54 years.
Waverley locals Ian and Rosalie Porteous were married for 54 years. Photo credit: Supplied

Ora Keen, 84:

Ora and Ian are siblings, and both of them loved being part of the Waverley community according to the family's statement. Her grandson Hayden Mischefski told Stuff she was kind and homely, and "really cool", saying she kept the kids of the family in line.

Brenda Williams, 79:

Waverley Local Elsie Booth told Stuff you "couldn't find a nicer person" than Brenda.

Jeremy Thompson, 28:

Jeremy, the driver of the car travelling southbound, was the father of newborn baby Shady who was also killed in the crash. A friend described him as an "amazing dad". He was 8-year-old Nivek's stepfather.

Seven people were killed in the crash at this section of SH3 near Waverley
Seven people were killed in the crash at this section of SH3 near Waverley Photo credit: Newshub

Shady Thompson, 8 weeks:

Shady was Jeremy and Ani's baby daughter. A givealittle page set up by a family says Shady and Nivek were "close sisters" and "deeply loved" by their friends and whānau.

Nivek Madams, 8:

Nivek was Ani's daughter. She passed away in Waikato Hospital on Thursday morning. Her Aunt Mereana Wilson told Stuff she was "happy-go-lucky, she's out there, she's outspoken, she's funny, she's just lovely."

Nivek Madams, described as "happy-go-lucky" passed away early on Thursday morning.
Nivek Madams, described as "happy-go-lucky" passed away early on Thursday morning. Photo credit: Givealittle

The sole survivor of the crash, understood to be Ani Madams, was the front-seat passenger of the southbound car and is Shady and Nivek's mother. She is in Wellington Hospital.

Catherine Turbitt, a family friend who set up a givelittle page for Nivek and Shady's whānau, says the family will provide a formal statement when the time is right.

She gave a heartfelt thank you to those who have donated to the fund, saying the response has been "amazing" and will "go a long way towards helping them".

Newshub.