Two men die in horror crash

Speed is thought to have been the major factor in the crash. Photo / Thinkstock

Police say the car hit with such force that both men would probably have died even if they had been wearing seatbelts. PICTURE / NZPA

A woman has lost both her partner and her brother in a horrific car crash in Auckland.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Mt Albert Rd and Hillsborough Rd in Three Kings just after midnight yesterday after a car slammed into a traffic-light pole.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police yesterday named them as Ru-i-te-tokorangi Maruariki, 26, and Tau Allan Fotuhetule, 30, both of Mt Roskill.

Family and friends of Mr Maruariki - known as Ru - yesterday gathered at the Mt Wellington home of his parents, Rauru and Greenlane Maruariki.

Brother-in-law Joshua Cowan said they were "not doing too good".

"Ru was a one-of-a-kind guy," he said. "Everybody's just here now to support his family and each other."

Mr Cowan said Mr Maruariki's partner, Angela Fotuhetule, was distraught. He confirmed her brother was the other man killed in the crash.

"She's not so good, either," he said. "It's a hard time for her and her kids."

Mr Maruariki is father to three young children, Jynn, Vakaroto and Manea.

A family notice in today's Herald pays tribute to him, saying: "Cherishedly missed by his loved ones, families, friends and partner Angela. Rest in peace."

Speed is thought to have been the major factor in the crash.

Police said the driver's side of the car hit the traffic light with such force that even if both men had been wearing seatbelts, it was unlikely they would have survived.

Sergeant Matthew Ford, of the serious crash unit, said cars were not built to take high-speed side-on crashes.

Alcohol was found in the car, he said, but it was not known yet if the driver had been drinking.

The vehicle was travelling on Mt Albert Rd - towards Mt Eden Rd - when it spun out of control about 12.30am.

Designer Caroline Marr, owner of The Carpenter's Daughter shop just opposite the crash site, said she heard a car zooming along the road before a loud crash. "I was sleeping when I heard it. It just went past my room and I can tell they were going fast because you could hear the engine - it [was like] a whistle.

"And then I heard a great big crash. I grabbed the home phone and ran outside to look over the fence. The car looked totalled. It was wrapped around the pole."

Ms Marr rushed over to the car and saw the two young men still inside the vehicle. "I knew they were gone. But they looked so peaceful."