Pair killed at Rotoma Lake accident during weekend named

Police have officially released the names of the two individuals who died in a single-vehicle collision on Saturday, July 11 in Rotorua.

The deceased were identified as 54-year-old David Alexander Fawcett Jarden of Totara Heights, Auckland and 53-year-old Bibi Farida Ali of Ranui, Auckland.

Emergency services were called at 12:40 p.m. on Saturday after one vehicle crashed off State Highway 30, and plunged into Rotoma Lake, 38 kilometres east of Rotorua.

Emergency services on Saturday were unable to lift the vehicle on Saturday, and it was recovered on Sunday morning with the help of police dive team, after the car being submerged for almost 24 hours.

One of the deceased, 53-year-old Bibi Farida Ali, came to New Zealand from Nadi in Fiji 25 years ago and lived in West Auckland.

"Police extend their sympathies to the families and friends of Mr Jarden and Ms Ali at this difficult time," Police said.

As a part of the investigation into the accident, Police has also appealed if anyone might have seen their (victims') vehicle- a silver Mercedes Benz, registration JZY733 — in the Rotorua Lakes area on Saturday, July 11 is urged to contact Police via 105, quoting file number 200712/8440.

The area where the incident happened is reported to be a notorious spot with high risks of accident. The State Highway 30 in Rotoma has reported two incidents in the last one year.  One in April 2019 on SH30 near Braemar Road, two-vehicle crashed injuring eight people, one was airlifted to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition. The second incident was reported in December 2019 on the same road with multiple injuries.

The funeral and burial ceremony of Bibi Farida Ali will be conducted today, Tuesday, July 14 at Puhinui NZMA section.

"Janazah will arrive at 10 Arodella Crescent Ranui by noon and will leave for Puhiniu NZMA Section at 12:50 p.m. for 2 p.m. burial," Auckland Janazah Announcements, a Facebook group informing the community about new and burial ceremonies for the Muslim community living in Auckland posted on Facebook. 

Ms Farida Ali survived by her husband and three daughters.