The man who died alongside his two stepsons in a car crash in Huntly yesterday was the first violinist for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded to the crash on SH1 in Huntly. Photo: Supplied / Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Stephen Phillips Photo: Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Police said earlier today that a 12-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man died after the car they were in collided with a truck on State Highway 1 about 2.40pm.
The man has been named as Stephen Phillips.
The boys' mother, Belinda Williams, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with her young daughter, Tessa, who also survived the crash.
Ms Williams was in a serious condition in hospital and Tessa was in a stable condition.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra chairman Greg Wanchap said Mr Phillips had been with the orchestra since 1987, and Ms Williams had played viola with it since 2002.
"The thoughts, prayers and love from everyone at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra are today with the family of our much-loved First Violinist Stephen Phillips and his partner Belinda Williams, who often played viola with the QSO," he said in a statement.
A neighbour of the family told the Brisbane Times the family had been on their way to a family reunion in New Zealand.
They had just arrived in the country, and were travelling in a rental car.
Police said yesterday the crash appeared to have occurred after the car crossed the centre line.
The truck driver was uninjured.
Investigation under way
The crash occurred on a stretch of SH1 that will be replaced by a bypass as part of the Waikato Expressway.
Waikato road policing manager Freda Grace said the existing road should be safe if people drove to conditions.
"We really need the public to buy into this as well. It's really important that people who are driving vehicles take that really responsibly [and] ensure that they and their vehicles are fit for the road before they take to the road."
Inspector Grace said they would be investigating the condition of the rental car the victims were using, and whether fatigue was a factor.
