A firefighter has described the harrowing experience of attending a fatal car crash in which the victim was his 15-year-old nephew.
The teenager was a passenger in the car that crashed in the Hawke's Bay township of Takapau on Thursday night. The boy was thrown from the car and pinned beneath it.
The boy's uncle, deputy chief fire officer Andrew Burt attended the scene.
Mr Burt said it was a blessing that the teenager's father and grandfather, both volunteer firefighters, were not called to the scene.
A 14-year-old boy who was driving the car was flown to Hastings hospital with moderate chest and arm injuries.
Two other passengers, both young men aged 14 and 16, were taken to hospital with minor and moderate injuries.
The teenager who died had not been wearing a seat belt.
Andrew Burt said police told him the crash was avoidable and hopes it will send a strong message to other young people who get behind the wheel of a car.
