A Tongan family in Auckland claimed the body found in a burnt out car early this week was that of Tevita Pasikala, 24.
But the deceased will not be officially identified until Wednesday next week.
Spokeswoman for the family, Sisifa Afu Tangi told Kaniva News Pasikala who resided in Auckland headed to the Bay of Plenty to meet his wife’s family on Sunday 5.
Police were called to a road accident Sunday morning where a car crashed into a tree before bursting into flames in the Bay of Plenty .
The incident occurred on Thornton Rd, just north of Whakatane, about 6am, said Inspector Peter Raynes of the police northern communications centre.
It is now understood it would take several days before police determine what caused the gruesome death of the driver and the deceased’s identity.
Believing the body was that of Tevita Pasikala Ms Tangi, who is assisting police in their investigation said the deceased, “is at the Hamilton Hospital to do a DNA to confirm his identity. We assumed his body was badly burned. It will not be ready until 22/01 but we are trying to see if possible that we can get it out earlier relatives are ready,” Ms Tangi said.
Since Sunday families and Tongan churches are gathering at Howick to pray for Pasikala.
The vehicle the family claimed to be that of Pasikala was engulfed in flames after it hit a tree head-on.
The driver, who was the only person in the car, was dead when emergency services arrived.
Firefighters had extinguished the flames and were assisting police with their investigation.
