Ceremonial tribute for victims of fatal smash

The vehicle in which four people died after a collision near Uretiti. Photo / NZME.

Family members perform traditional Asian blessing at scene of accident.

Family members of four people killed in a pre-Christmas crash have visited the scene and performed a traditional Asian blessing.

Two men and two girls were killed and an 8-year-old boy was critically injured when their northbound Range Rover did a u-turn on State Highway One near Uretiti, just south of Whangarei, into the path of a following logging truck about 12.55pm on Tuesday.

The dead, all from Auckland, were: Andy Li, 43, Catherine Li, 10, Xingwu Bian, known as Brian, 47, and Ximeng Bian, 8. The 8-year-old boy who was injured was yesterday in a stable condition in Auckland's Starship hospital.

On Wednesday, six relatives were taken to the scene by police staff and they performed a ceremony to honour the dead, including lighting candles at the site.

Constable Greg Chisnall, who took them to the spot, said it was a very emotional time. He said the ceremony involved lighting a small fire and giving food and other offerings to the flames.

The two dead men were successful business owners in Auckland, with Mr Bian owning four companies including a business that sells Protex work safety clothing.

Catherine and Ximeng were both named as "Stars of the Week" at various times at Murrays Bay School this year, and have repeatedly won other awards at the school.

Principal Ken Pemberton said the girls were "good kids" from "very respectful families".

Catherine had recently left to attend Milford School.

Murrays Bay School chairwoman, Sarah Bridge said that "Sadly the BoT can confirm that we have lost one of our Murrays Bay School family, Ximeng Bain. Ximeng was in Year 3 in room 22 and was a lovely girl who was liked by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

"Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Li family who previously attended Murrays Bay School."

The accident came on the eve of the official Christmas road toll period, which began at 4pm on Christmas Eve. It finishes at 6am on Monday, January 5.

Last year's road toll was seven but the official holiday period was three days shorter than this year's.

Motorists can expect more police on the roads than usual over the holiday period.

Inspector Al Stewart said the main highways would be much busier as people began journeys to holiday destinations or to see friends and family.

"If you're travelling on our highways, you should be seeing marked patrol cars."

Intersections were a focus for road policing staff, he said.

The average for deaths at intersections in the past five years was 3.6, but last year 12 people died at intersections.

Mr Stewart advised drivers to take breaks and said police would be focusing on drink-driving.