Tragedy

The tragedy that occurred at Ongatete on Wednesday evening another horrible event happened. 5 Tongan’s who were valued members in the kiwi fruit industry in Katikati lost their lives whilst leaving work after a long day.
They came here to work, to earn money to take back home, so imagine the heartache for their families there, with no bread winners and no loving husbands or sons. One cannot imagine their grief which will not fade, and the horrible deprivation they may well experience.
We need to lock around these Tongan families and do what we can to support them. This accident was one tragic mistake, and no one can blame the truck driver, who will be stricken with grief also.
We at Western Bay were having a workshop with the people who organise and provide accommodation for seasonal workers and with the success of our kiwi fruit industry we are going to require much for accommodation. So we too are shocked and heartbroken for our community at this time.
Cr Margaret Murray-Benge,
Western Bay District Council