Good Samaritan’s long road to recovery

Papamoa resident John Wilson has a long road to recovery after severing tendons in his hand while trying to help two young brothers who died in a serious car crash near Tauranga on Saturday.

Te Hira Whittaker-Ngaropo, 12, and Chance Whittaker-Ngaropo, 16, both of Auckland, died on Saturday when the car they were in crashed on State Highway 2, about 47km, south-east of Tauranga just before 8am.


Chance Whittaker-Ngaropo 16, and Te Hira Whittaker-Ngaropo, 12. Photo: Facebook.

John, 63, an electrician who was returning home from his job in Kawerau, was one of the first on the scene of the crash.

The crash happened on a straight part of the road near a layby. Te Hira, Chance and another passenger were travelling in a black SUV.

The Police Serious Crash Unit are still investigating the cause of the crash but it's understood the vehicle has rolled, hitting trees and coming to rest in a ditch.

Te Hira is understood to have been sitting in the back and died at the scene. His older brother was the driver and was flown by Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition. He would die as a result of his injuries later that night.

SunLive understands the third person was taken to Tauranga Hospital with injuries described as not serious.

The two brothers and the third passenger where travelling to Whakatane to pay their respects to an uncle who had recently died.

John says when he arrived on the scene the car was laying on its side with the three youngsters trapped inside.

He says one lady was attempting to treat the trio and it was decided to try and right the vehicle.

By this time, several bystanders had stopped to help. As they attempted to tip the vehicle on to its wheels, John's left hand was caught on a jagged edge, cutting the tendons on his pinky and ring finger.

John knew the cut was serious but didn't want to bother the emergency services, who were treating the victims. He simply grabbed a towel from his car and continued to help at the scene.

The father of four doesn't consider his actions as heroic, it was just about helping a fellow human being he says.

'All I did was help out as best I could. I hurt myself while we were trying to get the car on its wheels, so we could help the driver who was still alive at the time.”

Talking to John's partner Christine today, she says when he returned home, John asked if she would take him to the hospital.

'I said to him ‘why didn't you get the ambulance officers to check your hand?' He just said they had more important things to worry about.”

Christine says hearing both boys had died was upsetting for John, who is having surgery on his hand today to repair the tendons and nerve damage.

'He's quite an emotional guy when it comes to that kind of thing… but nothing compares to the pain the parents of the boys are going through.”

Doctors have told John and Christine it will take between three to four months before he will be able to return to work.

Meanwhile, tributes for the two brothers continue to flow from SunLive readers.

Hurihia Christine Pomare says; 'Lost for words our Ngaropo whanau… Absolutely maemae (sick) as for the loss of your much loved moko, sons, nephews and cousins. Our condolences to you from all our Pomare whanau… Moe mai ra korua”.

Renee Mackay also says it was a sad loss.

'Arohanui to the whanau of those invoved. Gone too soon.”

Marci Justine says; 'Very sad… Condolences to the family and friends. Way too young to be gone”.

It's understood the brothers will be farewelled at Wai Mirirangi Marae on the Hokianga Harbour.

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1 comment

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Posted on 24-05-2016 09:19 | By overit

I was sorry to learn Mr Wilson was hurt while attending to this accident.Thank you to him, for his selfless actions. A speedy recovery to you Sir.


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