Family, friends farewell Emily and unborn son

UNITED IN GRIEF: Family and friends gather at Wanganui Racecourse yesterday for the funeral of Emily Hurley.

The rain cleared on Friday for friends and family to gather outside the Eulogy Lounge at the Wanganui Racecourse and farewell Whanganui woman Emily Jane Hurley and her unborn child, Jake.

Funeral guests spilled out on to the balcony as the service began at 11am.

The carpark was full and cars lined the streets as people came to pay their respects. Ms Hurley died in the early hours of last Saturday when the car she was driving was in a head-on collision with a ute on State Highway 3, near Kaitoke.

The ute was being driven by Whanganui man Albert Noel Burns, who also died. Mr Burns had his funeral on Thursday.

Ms Hurley was about eight months pregnant at the time of the crash.

Passengers in her car were taken to hospital, some seriously injured.

A crowd of loved ones drew together outside the Eulogy Lounge following the service.

Ms Hurley and Jake were to be taken to the Aramoho Cemetery for interment.