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16 Oct 2025 10:26
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      Home > News > Accident and Emergency

    A coroner's report reveals the occupants of one car were seen huffing nitrous oxide before crashing in May 2024 - killing five people

    A coroner's report reveals the occupants of one car were seen huffing nitrous oxide before crashing in May 2024 - killing five people


    Open Justice reports 19-year-old Piata Otufangavalu was driving unlicensed with two occupants on State Highway 3 just north of Te Awamutu.

    There were no survivors when their car ploughed into that of Hamilton couple Paul and Lois Grimmer.

    In the coroner's findings released today, one witness recalls seeing Otufangavalu and a passenger with "big green balloons" and thought they were "huffing nangs".

    Coroner Matthew Bates says the driver also had cannabis in her system - which may have exacerbated her impairment.

    © 2025 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Accident and Emergency News
     16 Oct: A Rolleston school is raising concerns for child safety as upgrades to a nearby highway begin
     15 Oct: Two people have died following a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of State Highway 1 - northwest of Tirau, just after 7.30pm
     15 Oct: People are seriously injured after two vehicle crash north-west of Tirau this evening
     15 Oct: A burning vehicle's closed State Highway One in Tasman in both directions, north of Kekerengu
     15 Oct: Waikato's State Highway 30 - from Te Kuiti to Benneydale - is expected to open at 7pm - after being closed since yesterday's downpours
     15 Oct: Wellington's Terrace Tunnel - State Highway One - is reopen in both directions following a crash about 1.15
     15 Oct: Major roads are staying shut in northern Taranaki and Waikato today, after yesterday's downpours
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