Two UC students among four killed in fatal crash

State Highway – 8, near Pūkaki, location of the crash-site. Source: Bernard Spragg / Wikimedia Commons. 

Three died at the scene in a major crash on State Highway 8 on March 30, including two UC students. A fourth person later died in hospital from his injuries. 

The collision involved two vehicles and a motorcycle. It was followed by another crash close by just an hour and a half later, which injured 10. 

On March 31, the University of Canterbury released a statement from Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey. She confirmed the deaths of the students and expressed condolences to their loved ones. 

De la Rey went on to state that two other UC students had been injured in the crash and hospitalised and were in stable condition. She said that UC would be “working directly with Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Malaysian community” to provide support. 

“Our thoughts are with those involved in the emergency service teams, and members of the public, who responded to the scene,” wrote de la Rey. 

The New Zealand Herald reported that Bellee Cardeño, a nurse who was travelling with her family, pulled over to perform CPR. 

She told the Herald, “It takes a lot of courage to be there and compose yourself to help the people covered in blood. I never really imagined myself doing CPR on someone on the road… it was just a tragic accident,” she said. 

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim also expressed condolences, via Facebook: “Condolences to the families of two Malaysian students who died in a road accident in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. I also pray for the three more Malaysian students [from Victoria University] who were injured in this incident to be healed as soon as possible.” 

The students who died were identified by New Zealand Police on April 4, as Wan Adlina Alisa, 20, and Megat Ashman Aqif Megat Irman Jefni, 21. 

The other victims were ex-Army commander Phillip Wayne Woodham, 71, and Gavin James William Beere, 85. 

The national road death toll for Easter was seven, the worst since 2021. In addition to the Pūkaki deaths, there were fatalities in Waikato, Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty, and Te Tai o Aorere Tasman. 

Along with the name release on April 4, New Zealand Police stated: “Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.” 

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