Shock for school after aide dies in road crash

It is believed Sandra Evans crossed the centre line on her motorcycle before colliding with the car. Photo / Christine Cornege

A woman killed in a fiery collision on a Coromandel highway was a teacher-aide who had worked with children for 19 years.

Sandra Joy Evans, 51, died when her motorbike and a car collided on the Kopu-Hikuai Rd, east of Thames, on Tuesday afternoon.

Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said it appeared Ms Evans crossed the centre line before the crash, which caused her motorcycle and the car to burst into flames.

Ms Evans had been an aide at Silverdale School in Auckland. Principal Viv Collins said she would be sadly missed by the whole community.

"She's been here through a generation of children, so how to quantify that is quite tricky, really. She was an amazing person and has impacted on the lives of a lot of our children."

She said Ms Evans had a "quiet approach and a lovely, caring attitude" and expected the shock would really set in when the school term began and she was not there.

"She's well known around the school and as it has grown she has grown with it ... The impact will truly be felt then, when we suddenly realise she's not there."

The reaction from parents was disbelief. "They're just stunned."

Ms Collins said she would remember Ms Evans most for her sense of humour, the quiet way she went about her work and the way she worked with the children.

Her funeral would be held at the school on either Monday or Tuesday.

"We are going to use the school because it's been her place of work for a long time and it will be lovely to celebrate her life in that way."

Ms Evans was on her motorcycle learner licence and was riding to Tairua with her partner, who was slightly ahead of her when the accident occurred. He returned to the crash scene when he realised she was not behind him.

By the time he got there, the two occupants of the car had managed to get out and drag her clear of the fire.

But Ms Evans' injuries were not survivable.

Mr Tooman said: "At this time of year, there are a lot of motorcyclists riding the so-called Coro-loop route and the degree of rider experience varies a great deal.

"Many riders on Coromandel roads at this time of year aren't familiar with the challenges, so wisely choose to ride with a more experienced friend.

"What we believe is that it's pretty hard to mentor someone from a rear-vision mirror and perhaps it would be better for the more-experienced rider to follow the novice and monitor their riding."