A resident says Kawerau town is “silent” today as locals mourn a fatal incident at the Tarawera River.
Two boys, aged 10 and 11, were killed after a riverbank slip at Boyce Park yesterday afternoon, and the community is reeling.
Enjoying a bit of school holiday fun, the boys had been playing and fishing with friends next to the river when the bank collapsed, trapping them.
Emergency responders were unable to free the children after being called to the scene at 11.30am, despite police efforts to dig them out with their hands.
Whānau for one of the boys have shared a tribute on Facebook describing him as having a “bright spirit and gentle soul”.
The family member said he had “brought light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of all who knew him” and had been a “treasured and much loved” son, brother, moko, nephew, cousin and friend.
One local Kawerau woman told the Herald she knew the families and the victims were “great boys”.
“They were just fishing, doing nothing wrong, not being naughty. They were really good boys.”
She described Kawerau, a small town with a population of just over 7680, as a community where everyone knows everyone.
With few accidents happening in the region, she said, the community has been greatly affected by the loss.
“We all know each other here. It’s such a terrible tragedy ... that’s why our town is so silent today.”
The local said the region was hit hard by rain in recent Cyclone Vaianu and that it would have softened the cliff near the popular swimming spot.
“It’s a huge, wide cliff made from clay. The heavy rain definitely wouldn’t have helped.”
Another woman was seen down at the river where the tragedy took place, planting a small tree and putting up a homemade cross in the boys’ honour.
“There are no words,” she said, as she walked away, wiping a tear.
Tarawera High School, which one of the boys attended, confirmed a student had died and said it would be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic news of the passing of one of our students yesterday,” the school said in a post on its Facebook page.
“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and condolences are with the whānau at this time.
“As a community, we ask that we come together with compassion, respect, and care for one another. We also ask that the privacy of the whānau be honoured as they grieve this tragic loss.”
A receptionist at Te Whata Tau o Putauaki school told the Herald that students at their school knew the boys and would be grieving with their classmates.
She said Tarawera High School would be holding a karakia for the pair on Monday.
“A few of our teachers taught the boys at Tarawera before jumping across here. No doubt they’ll be headed to the karakia on Monday too.“
She said it was the family and friends she felt for the most.
“The mother has a third boy, an older boy too, so I can’t imagine how they feel.”
Kawerau South School principal Raylene Gage-Te Hau also told the Herald that, while their school wasn’t directly affected, the entire community was feeling the loss.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the town is really quiet today.”
Gage-Te Hau said she had known both of the families, and, while they hadn’t attended Kawerau South, “they were still our boys collectively”.
Many members of the community have shared an outpouring of grief for the children overnight.
The Kawerau junior rugby club where the two boys had played posted a tribute yesterday, sharing that it had been a “privilege” to know them.
“Both boys lived in Kawerau and attended our local schools. They, along with their whānau, were active and valued members of our JAB community.
“We extend our deepest aroha and awhi to their whānau at this incredibly difficult time,” the post read.
Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui also shared the town’s “love and solidarity” with the families on her social media.
“Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones,” Tunui wrote.
“As a community, I know that, where and when appropriate, we will unite to support the families. In these hardest of days, we see the best of our community.”
Station officer set commander Tyrel Katu, who was off-duty at the time, was one of the first firefighters at the scene and told the Herald the community response was “incredible”.
He said police called firefighters at the Kawarau Fire Station to alert them to the accident.
“I got the call too and jumped in a truck with a few of the volunteers.
“A couple of police and ambulance were already there.“
Katu said the overall commander was sent to the top of the cliff, while he remained at the bottom to help.
“The police officers stripped and swam across the river and didn’t have shovels at the time so just got stuck in with their hands.”
People nearby ran to get shovels and even a few locals brought their boats down the river to help.
“The way the whole community came together was incredible. There were crowds of people, whānau and friends, there to support.”