Police seek second vehicle in Mongrel Mob deaths

SUBMERGED: A police boat near the downed vehicle. Hawkes Bay Today picture

POLICE today are piecing together the events that culminated in the death of three Wairoa Mongrel Mob members and the "miraculous" survival of a fourth, after their vehicle plunged 150m down a bank and into the Mohaka River, on State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa.

"He is a very lucky man, it's a miracle he survived," Detective senior sergeant Brent Greville said at a press conference.

The men's car left the highway and crashed into the river near the Mohaka Viaduct, and police are seeking information about how the accident happened.

An airforce helicopter will be used in an attempt to lift the men's white Honda from the Mohaka River today, and police will inspect it afterwards.

At a press conference at the scene yesterday, police said they were looking for a blue Japanese car with a large dent in its bonnet, which was suspected of being involved.

The crash victims were all Mongrel Mob members from Wairoa who had been travelling to the gang’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Hastings. One of the victims had been jailed for being part of an organised criminal group, after a shoot-out between Mongrel Mob and Black Power members in 2010.

The police dive squad recovered two bodies from the river on Satudray night and Sunday morning. A third victim was earlier found dead on the riverbank. Detective Sergeant Brent Greville said police wanted to speak to anyone who may have seen the crash or noticed vehicles on the stretch of road near the hilltop before the approach to the Mohaka Viaduct.

Police were especially keen on sightings around 2.30pm to 2.45pm on Saturday.

"There may be a possibility that another car was involved. It’s an aspect we need to look into as part of the investigation so we would like to talk to anyone who may have seen anything unusual on that section of the highway during that time," Mr Greville said.

Police said the injured man who survived the crash was discharged from Wairoa Hospital on Saturday night.

- NZME