Heartbroken mother speaks of much-loved girl

8-year-old Jasnoor Kaur who died in the fatal car crash near the Kaimai Ranges.

The grieving mother of the 8-year-old Katikati girl killed in a head-on crash on Kaimai Range has spoken for the first time of her heartache and loss.

Jasnoor Kaur was killed in the May 30 crash and her 12-year-old brother Prabjot, was seriously injured in the accident, remains in a serious condition in Auckland's Starship children's hospital after being in an induced coma.

Jasnoor and Prabjot were both in the back seat when the Kaur vehicle driven by a family friend Rajbir Kaur, 20, was struck head-on by a van driven by Roy Clifford Baxter, 55.

The children's mother Rajwinder Kaur, 34, and her group were returning to Tauranga from a hospital appointment in Hamilton when his van crossed the centre line and hit their car.

Mr Baxter died on June 3.

Parmeet Bhaskar, 5, also seriously injured in the crash, remained in Starship children's hospital.

Jasnoor's funeral will be held at the Manukau Memorial Hall near Auckland Airport at noon tomorrow.

Heartbroken Mrs Kaur who spoke to Bay of Plenty Times Weekend yesterday described her daughter as a "cute, happy, lovely little girl" who was always smiling.

"Jasnoor was so happy that day (the day of the crash). On the way back she was pleading with me to treat her and her brother to dinner at Talk of India [restaurant] and two seconds later the crash happened.

"Everyone loved her. Jasnoor adored her brother and he loved her very much. She was always telling me how much she loved us and I used to tell her you love me too much," she said.

Mrs Kaur, 34, who is still on crutches after suffering a broken ankle in the crash, and severe bruising to her stomach and chest, said her son remained in serious condition.

"My son can't speak at the moment. Prabjot is still very groggy but he has opened his eyes and I think he understands when we talk to him. But when he looks at me his eyes are full of pain."

Mrs Kaur said she did not yet know whether her son was aware his sister was killed, and while his condition was not life-threatening, the prognosis for his recovery was uncertain. "I thank God for saving his life," she said.

Katikati Primary Board of Trustees chairman David Freeman said principal Andrea Nicholson and representatives from the school were expected to attend the funeral service.

Mr Freeman said Katikati Primary School and Katikati College held a joint community fundraiser last week and had done what they could to provide comfort to Jasnoor's family.

"But anything we have done could never be sufficient to heal their loss.

"It's an absolute tragedy. Jasnoor was a delightful little girl and everyone who knew her absolutely loved her."