(New Zealand) – A Tongan man died after a single-car crash near Tauranga on State Highway 36 on Monday.
Eliesa Jacob Osaiasi Tonga Faleola Lolohea, 20, was killed while travelling home to Katikati after visiting his girlfriend in Rotorua.
The Katikati local sustained serious injuries following the crash on Pyes Pa Rd in Oropi shortly after 6am.
It was later confirmed he had died.
“He has been remembered as a gentle soul with a quiet strength,” the NZ Herald has reported.
Meanwhile, prayer services and preparation for the deceased’s funeral had been uploaded to Facebook video clips.
Group of acoustic guitar players wearing tauanga’a were seen in one of the clips performing in a house during what appeared to be a prayer vigil.
A commenter on Facebook claimed Lolohea’s body is expected to be returned to Tonga next week.
