Family 'still in shock' over patient's death

Police at the scene after an ambulance hit a power pole, Moerewa. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The family of Sonny Rawhiti Kemp, who died after the ambulance he was being taken to hospital in crashed, are making their way to the Far North to prepare for his tangi.

Mr Kemp, 66, was from Kaeo but it is understood he was staying at a family member's home in Moerewa when he took ill on Tuesday morning. An ambulance was sent for and soon after it left the house to take Mr Kemp to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa, it crashed into a power pole.

Mr Kemp died at the scene shortly after the crash.

He was critically ill when the ambulance arrived at the house and it was unclear whether he died as a result of his condition or the crash.

Relatives were heading to the Far North yesterday to organise his funeral.

A niece said she was "still in shock over my uncle going this way".

Another niece described him as a loving uncle and a woman who knew Mr Kemp wrote: "you are leaving us with a huge hole that can't be filled".

Police are investigating that and trying to ascertain why the vehicle crashed.

A St John staffer who was in the back of the ambulance with Mr Kemp was injured and remains in Whangarei Hospital. Police said he was in a "satisfactory" condition.

St John said the staff involved were being supported by the organisation.

An internal review into the incident was underway and they were assisting police.