Two Vanuatu men died instantly when a car crashed on top of a garage at Te Puke, in the Western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand early Sunday morning.
The men were employed by Trevelyan Pack and Cool Ltd under the Vanuatu Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme.
According to James Trevelyan, managing director Trevelyan Pack and Cool Ltd, the men “were tragically taken in a motor vehicle accident on No 1 Rd, Te Puke.”
"We are currently supporting the remaining team in this trying time and our thoughts and sympathies are with the extended families back in Vanuatu."
According to a NZ Herald report, Trevelyan said staff were supporting their Vanuatu employees and were feeding about 60 people from their campsite.
He said staff, including himself, had been to visit one of the victims who was still in Tauranga Hospital.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said he woke up to a loud bang.
"I thought it was a tree crashing down," he said. "It shook the place."
Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott said one 30-year-old man from Vanuatu remained stable in a hospital ward.
Another 31-year-old man from Vanuatu was treated and discharged from hospital.
Photo by Sunlive