Our stay in Dunedin had to be two nights with our hotel and this proved to be momentous! The highlight was a complimentary tour of the Royal Albatross Colony at Tairua Heads, 30km from Dunedin. Sadly the second moment was a visit to the Dunedin Hospital where my nephew's daughter and husband and 2 children were admitted after a horrific head on smash on the way home to Oamaru. Their 5 year old daughter, Ruby was killed. It was a ruddy Asian driver gone round a dangerous bend and was on the wrong side!
This was coming back to Dunedin late after the Albatross visit.
Three good things:
1. Our two day stay allowed us to provide support and comfort to our family members in Dunedin.
2. While at the remote Albatross Colony we were able to view a cruise ship leaving Dunedin Harbour just below us...photo to come.
3. Managed to just cruise into a petrol station after this photo, almost running out of fuel. Our GPS took us on a wild and high road back to Dunedin and also to two closed petrol stations!
Oh my word maggiemae how awful for your family. Just one crazy, selfish, hooligan driver that devastates a family who can never be the same again. I hope he gets jailed! So sad for you.
They live in your town so you must have quite a bit of contact too.....you will miss that little girl.
@happypat Its hard to believe, Pat. A family will now suffer for life! The parents are seriously hurt - maybe broken backs and badly injured legs. The children are not so hurt. Little Ruby was in the back and in her car seat of course and not a mark on her!
Oh my goodness what tragic and awful news, a 5 year old girl, what a devastating loss, my thoughts are with you and your family. A favourite for the picture.
@maggiemae it all sounds horrendous Maggiemae...I don't like the sound of broken backs. They are going to want a lot if support for a long time. So sorry.
A wonderful scene - just love the twilight colour and their reflection on the water ! FAV
So very sorry to hear of your family's terrible & tragic road crash. and to loose their 5 year old in this cruel way ! My thoughts are with you all ,Maggiemae !
What a horrific loss...and so much damage. I am sorry for your loss but it is good they have family close by to lend support. It will be tough roads ahead.
How dreadful to lose little Ruby like that--everyone must be hurting--it's so especially heart rending when a young child dies. This is a beautiful shot, but I can't get Ruby and her family out of my mind.
Another lovely shot. When I was on the peninsula we stayed in a hotel built like a castle, It was foggy and very magical. So sad about Ruby. I send my condolences to you and her family. I can't imagine anything much worse than losing a child,
This is such sad news, Maggiemae. I am so sorry for you and your family for the loss of Ruby. I hope that those that remain in the hospital recover well and as quickly as possible. Must have been destiny to be there and able to go to the hospital. Thoughts are with you. What a gorgeous photo by the way. I wonder if this person was texting or not paying attention that caused this horrific accident. I type this with tears in my eyes. FAV for this gorgeous photo.
@darsphotos Thank you Darlene for your kind words! Not texting as can be the case but an Asian driver who is used to driving on the right hand side and he also crossed a double yellow centre line which means absolutely no passing!
@maggiemae You are welcome, Maggiemae. I did not think about the side of the road driven on in New Zealand. It is illegal here as well to cross a double yellow line and usually a reason as there are spots where one cannot see. How is this Asian driver doing? I am so sorry and know how it can go with Asian drivers as they are not good drivers here so much of the time. What ever happened to caring while one drives and being aware of how you are to drive. Take care.
No words can take away the pain you must feel. I'm so sorry for your loss of little Ruby. my prayers will be with you and your family. hope they will soon recover from the terrible accident.
What a stunning capture. So sorry to hear of the tragedy that followed though. My heart goes out to your family, with prayers for comfort, and for complete and speedy healing of those in hospital.
Oh Maggie, I saw that on the news and felt for loved ones seeing that plastered over the tv. And I noted the double yellow line! Your poor family. How devastating. Thinking of you at this time 😍
My thoughts are with you and your family,I cannot imagine how you cope with such a horrific accident and the loss of Ruby. I do hope that the rest of the family recover physically,though emotionally they will always bear the scars.The albatross colony is wonderful, visited when we took Mum to N.Zealand. For her 9th birthday. Love the shot
A very beautiful photo Maggie but such dreadful news. I refused to drive in Spain as I fear driving on the wrong side. This is such an awful tragedy for your family. You have my heartfelt sympathy and warmest thoughts.
What a wonderful capture. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Ruby and the injuries to her family. Things like this happen so quickly there is no way to avoid it.
Oh Maggiemae I have just seen this terrible news. I am so sad for you and all your family. No words can take away the devastation you will all be feeling. I do hope the rest of your family recover quickly - broken back sounds very serious. My thought are with you all at such a sad time!!
@pamknowler Thank you Pam! Its really heartbreaking - I think the family have not taken it all in yet - dealing with their injuries! Its going to be harder when they go home!
oh Maggiemae what horrific news. You never think it will happen to you. Life can change in a second. My heart goes out to you and the family. What a peaceful capture to the end of your day.
Oh my goodness, what a tragic story. What a terrible time for you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. The picture is so beautiful but the sadness overrules. It's a fav.
So sorry to hear of this tragic loss Maggie, I feel for this young family, lets hope they heal from their injuries very quickly but it will take a lot longer to heal their broken hearts...
I'm so stunned, Maggie. This is a lovely image but in no way does it make up for the tragedy of what happened. What a horrible thing. I hope the driver of the other vehicle was charged. I know the pain of losing a child at a young age. I truly feel for your nephew and his family and for you and your husband as well. I can't offer enough sympathies for theirs and your loss. So truly heartbreaking. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Sending hugs around the globe.
So sorry Maggie to hear of this horrific news, my thoughts to the entire family, and will be thing of you and them, I have seen so many crashes here with the icy weather this year. beautiful scene to get lost in your thoughts....
Maggie this is such awful news. A family who will never be the same again thanks to one stupid driver. So glad you were there to support them but is so hard for you as well.
Oh Maggie that's such appalling news. So sorry to hear that. Poor things - the children must be in a terrible state with the loss of a sister and parents not in a fit state to look after them.
A moody and beautiful shot but such awful news. I am so sorry that your family has been the victims in one of these accidents involving foreign drivers which are becoming so scarily frequent these days. Take care.
@jankoos thanks Jan! Its getting harder in a way as its becoming more public owing to the increased risk with Asian drivers, but the family want to get out of the limelight!
i am late reading this, but i am sorry for your nephew's family's loss. those people who do not know how to drive the other way should never be allowed to drive. what a stupid idiot. here's praying for everyone's complete and fast recovery.
Sorry about that horrific event, and the loss of your family member, but I am glad you were able to be there for them! This photo really conveys the sadness and heaviness that accompanies such tragedies.
March 7th, 2015
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They live in your town so you must have quite a bit of contact too.....you will miss that little girl.
So very sorry to hear of your family's terrible & tragic road crash. and to loose their 5 year old in this cruel way ! My thoughts are with you all ,Maggiemae !
Sorry to hear about the little girl.
So terribly sorry to hear about your family! Especially sad to lose the life of a young child! My condolences to everyone!
Your beautiful picture is somehow very poignant.
Very sorry to hear about the tragic accident.
Thinking of you all xx