Six-year-old Perth boy and four-year-old cousin die in horrific UTV crash in New Zealand
A six-year-old Perth boy and his four-year-old nephew have been identified as the ‘two bright sparks’ who died in a horror UTV crash on their grandmother’s farm.
The little boys were killed about 5.15pm on December 19 after coming off a UTV (all-terrain vehicle) and drowning in the swollen Waikāinga Stream on a property in Peria, east of Kaitāia on New Zealand’s North Island.
Emergency services, including two helicopters, rushed to the property believed to be owned by the boys’ grandmother.
Their bodies were recovered from the stream the next day.
The driver of the UTV and three others were able to get out of the water and were rushed to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
A devastated family member said the UTV crashed into a boulder before ending up in an 11-metre deep water hole at Waikāinga Stream.
They claimed there were no safety barriers.
The little boys were killed after coming off a UTV (all-terrain vehicle) and drowning in the swollen Waikāinga Current (pictured) at a property in Peria, east of Kaitāia on New Zealand’s North Island, about 5.15pm in December. 19
“On Friday, December 29, 2023 at approximately 5:15 p.m., two little bright sparks went out of our lives,” a family member posted on Facebook.
‘Cousins… aged 6, from Perth and… aged 4, from Taupaki, Auckland, were involved in a tragic UTV accident whilst on holiday in New Zealand’s far north, Peria, when the UTV in which they were traveling collided with a boulder, causing the vehicle to plunge into an 11 meter deep waterhole at Waikainga Stream, where no safety barriers were in place.”
The relative said their hearts were “broken and beyond repair” after the tragedy and described the boys as “cheeky, cheerful and full of adventure.”
‘Fly free with the locusts and butterflies, our little friend. We will always love you forever, even when you can’t see us and even on our darkest days… We will love you forever and ever,” she wrote.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania sent his love and prayers to the families involved.
“We are extremely grateful for the first responders and the incredible work they do,” he said.
‘With thousands of manuhiri [guests and visitors] When I join the Far Northerners during the break, I ask whānau to take extra care when enjoying our area.”
Until January 7, people are not allowed to swim or fish locally.
The police are investigating on behalf of the coroner.