As she was leaving the hospital with Arabin’s sons, the rescue helicopter was landing. She took the chance to create a special moment for the boys.
“That was what their mum was taken to the hospital in,” she said. “We watched it land, called out to the pilot, and he let the boys stand in front of the helicopter for a photo.
“We called that mum’s last ride,” Burrows said tearfully.
She was incredibly appreciative of the people who tried their best to help her sister at the scene of the crash.
“The family is so grateful to the public who stopped and also to the first responders.
“We know that it was a horrible scene to turn up to, and I’m just so thankful that people helped.”
Arabin was farewelled by family and friends at a funeral yesterday.
The police investigation into the circumstances of her death continues.
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.