PICTURED: Brothers, 5 and 10, who drowned alongside their grandmother after their farm buggy plunged into a pond – as grandfather survives horrific accident
- A grandmother and her two grandsons were killed on a farm accident in NZ
- Bev Hiscox, 69, Luka and JJ Sirett, aged ten and five, died on Sunday morning
- The trio and their grandfather Mike Hiscox had been riding on a farm buggy
- The buggy plunged into a pond on the farm, Mr Hiscox was able to free himself
A family has been left heartbroken after a grandmother and her two grandsons were killed when their farm buggy plunged into a pond.
Bev Hiscox, 69, and her two grandchildren, Luka and JJ Sirett, aged ten and five, died after the accident at a farm near the small township of Raetihi in New Zealand’s North Island about 11am on Sunday morning.
They had been riding in the off-road vehicle with their grandfather Mike Hiscox on the family farm when it overturned.
Bev Hiscox, 69, and her two grandchildren, Luka and JJ Sirett (pictured), aged ten and five, died after the accident at a farm near the small township of Raetihi in New Zealand ‘s North Island about 11am on Sunday morning
Bev Hiscox was a much-loved grandmother, she was a stalwart in the community, a talented gardener and held many voluntary roles across the district
Mr Hiscox was able to free himself and quickly raised the alarm.
However, when rescue teams arrived it was too late. The vehicle was pulled from the pond with the bodies of Bev, Luka and JJ inside.
Their families has been left ‘distraught’ after losing a much-loved grandmother and two ‘cheeky’ little boys, family friend Elijah Pue said.
‘We are all very distraught, a mother has lost both their kids, we’re all in a very distraught state.’
He said the kids had been spending quality time on the farm with ‘Nanny Bev and Poppa Mike’ when the incident happened.
Mr Hiscox was taken to Whanganui Hospital by rescue helicopter with moderate injuries, but has since been released.
Two people are seen hugging near the farm where a grandmother and her two grandsons were killed during a farm buggy accident
WorkSafe is continuing to make enquiries but is yet to determine whether it will investigate the incident at the farm in Raetihi (pictured)
The tragedy has hit the small community hard, Mr Pue said, as the Hiscox and Sirett families are well known in the area.
‘Bev was a stalwart in the community, a talented gardener and held many voluntary roles across the district,’ he said.
‘A mother of five girls and a Nanny to ten grandchildren, Bev was the matriarch of her family and was also the loving and devoted wife to Mike. She had the biggest heart.
‘Luka and JJ were the closest of brothers. Luka gave his absolute best at everything he did and was a Lego Master and an avid Mine Craft player – he was also an awesome singer. JJ loved snuggles and being in the outdoors – and had a cheeky smile. Just like their Nanny, Luka and JJ had the biggest of hearts.’
WorkSafe is continuing to make enquiries but is yet to determine whether it will investigate.
A fourth person, a 69-year-old man, was airlifted to hospital in a stable condition after police were called to the regional property about 11am