Mongrel Mob crash investigation: Mystery car found

NZ Herald

12 Nov, 2015 04:23 AM2 mins to read

Nathan Isaac. Photo / Supplied

Police have found the mystery blue car believed to have been involved in a fatal crash that left three gang members dead on Saturday.

Three died when their car plunged down a bank into the Mohaka River near Wairoa.

A fourth man survived the 150m fall, but was seriously injured.

Police appealed for information about the possible involvement of a second vehicle and Detective Senior Sergeant Brent Greville said it was found today in Raupunga and was being sent to Gisborne for forensic examination.

"At this stage we cannot confirm that it was involved, but a forensic examination will help us determine if it played a part in the crash," he said.

Police were trying to find out who was in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

"We are in the process of speaking to numerous people in the Raupunga area so hopefully some new information will come to light that will help with that aspect of the inquiry," Mr Greville said.

The blue vehicle was given to police about 1.45pm and officers were talking to at least three young men in the area.

Sources told Hawke's Bay Today the vehicle was released to police after protracted negotiations involving gang leaders, people in the tiny State Highway 2 community and at least one lawyer.

Raupunga is just north of where the tragedy happened about 2.35pm on Saturday.

Investigations are understood by the Hawke's Bay Today to include the possibility that the blue car was not involved in the cause of the crash, which happened while the Wairoa mob members were on their way to a 50th anniversary celebrations for the Hastings chapter in Central Hawkes Bay.

The dead men are TerryShane Stone, 31, Ronald Rigby, 53, and Nathan Isaac, 29.