Bernie Monk said it was an emotional time, and the family was hoping for privacy to allow them to get through it.
Monk lost his son Michael in the Pike River Mine disaster in 2010. He has been a tireless spokesman on behalf of the families who lost loved ones in the mine.
Anna Osborne (left) lost her husband Milton, Sonya Rockhouse lost her son Ben and Bernie Monk lost his son Michael in the Pike River Mine disaster. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Three other people were taken to Nelson Hospital with serious injuries following yesterday's crash, which happened on Whakatu Drive in Stoke.
The crash was one of two fatal incidents on our roads on Thursday night.
One person died shortly after midnight after a car hit a power pole in the Auckland suburb of Green Bay. A second person suffered critical injuries and is now in a stable condition in hospital.
And two others died in Northland yesterday in two separate crashes.
A man died after a motor scooter crash in Northland yesterday evening. A police spokesperson said a man in his 30s died in the crash on Whakapara Rd in Russell, about 5.45pm.
About 4pm a person died in Whareora, Northland, after apparently falling from a vehicle.