NZ White Island eruption: The dead, the missing and the injured
WELLINGTON, Dec 12, 2019, NZ Herald. Eight people confirmed dead, autopsies and formal identification continues today. Eight more thought to be on island. There are currently 23 patients being cared for at four hospitals around New Zealand – Middlemore, Hutt Valley, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch. 17 patients are critical, NZ Herald reported.
47 people were on or near the island when the volcano erupted – 24 Australians, nine from the US, five Kiwis, four Germans, two Chinese, two from UK and one from Malaysia.
At 2.11pm on Monday, when Whakaari/White Island spewed scalding steam, rocks and ash into the air, 47 people were on or near the island.
New Zealand Police have confirmed eight people as now dead and believe a further eight are still on the island, presumed dead.
These are the people who family and members of the public have said have been killed or injured during the devastating volcanic eruption. Some people remain unaccounted for.
The dead
Australian brothers Matthew and Berend Hollander
Two Australian schoolboys have died in hospital as a result of the injuries they had sustained during the volcanic eruption.
Berend Hollander, 16, and his brother Matthew Hollander, 13, attended Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga, on Sydney’s north shore, where their father also went to school.
Knox Grammar principal Scott James announced the deaths in a letter to parents.
“It is with the greatest sadness that I can confirm that Matthew Hollander (Year 8) and Berend (known at “Ben”) Hollander (Year 10) have passed away in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the White Island volcano eruption. Please take some time to reflect on the lives of Matthew and Ben and this devastating loss for our community.”
James said Matthew had a close circle of friends and was popular among his peers: “He was always enthusiastic about life and was actively involved in school and year group activities.”
He described his brother Berend as a compassionate and enthusiastic student: “Ben’s engaging smile and quirky sense of humour made him a good mate to his close group of friends and a welcome member to every classroom.”
The boys’ parents, Martin and Barbara Hollander, remain unaccounted for.
Australian couple Karla Mathews, Richard Elzer and friend Jason Griffiths
Three Australians from Coffs Harbour, Jason Griffiths, 33, Karla Mathews, 32 and her partner Richard Elzer had been holidaying with a group of friends on the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas cruise ship.
“On the 9th of December 2019, we were devastated by the news that three of our friends were visiting White Island on a shore excursion during the time of eruption,” a joint statement issued by friends and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.
“Some time later, we discovered that two of our friends, Richard Elzer and Karla Mathews, were still on the island.
“We then located our third friend, Jason Griffiths, in a hospital in the early hours of the next morning.
“From that moment until the moment of his passing, Jason was surrounded by friends and family members.
“We are incredibly saddened to have lost three of our closest friends.”
Gavin Dallow and his stepdaughter Zoe Hosking
Gavin Dallow’s body was identified by police on Wednesday and family have been told his stepdaughter, Zoe Hosking, 17, is presumed dead as her body is still on Whakaari.
Dallow’s wife and Zoe’s mother, Lisa Dallow, is in Waikato Hospital and being treated for her injuries.
Dallow’s family said in a statement: “We mourn the loss of Gavin and Zoe.
“Gavin was a wonderful son and brother.
“We’ll miss him at the cricket and we’ll miss him at the football. He was a generous man, always helping his family and his community.
“Our hearts break at the loss of Zoe at such a young age.
“We know her loss will also devastate her school community and the local Girl Guides, of which she was still an active member.
“The Dallow family is extremely thankful for the support from relatives, Rotary, the local church community and the broader community.”
Hayden Marshall-Inman
Whakatāne local and tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman left $5 at the dairy every week to pay for the next person.
The Four Square at Ōhope Beach said the tour guide was close to their hearts because of this.
“This has been happening for years so will be many recipients of his kindness,” they posted on Facebook.
Marshall-Inman loved taking tour groups to Whakaari and had been doing it for 15 years.
His brother said: “He died doing what he loved.”
A friend posted on Facebook: “There was not a more genuine, kind, loving soul on this planet than Hayden.
“Completely devastating and my heart goes out to the Inman family.”
A Malaysian tourist
The Malaysian Embassy confirmed on Tuesday that a Malaysian tourist had died.
Julie and Jessica Richards
Australian media first reported that Brisbane mother Julie Richards, 47, and her 20-year-old daughter Jessica had been confirmed dead.
Friend and family spokesman John Mickel told media the family were “devastated” but united in grief.
Mickel, a Queensland politician, said the pair were known as “adventurous” people and loved cruising.
“If there was an adventure that offered itself, then they would be the ones to do it.”
The missing or unaccounted for
Krystal Browitt
Australian vet nursing student Krystal Browitt was on the trip of a lifetime to celebrate her 21st birthday with her close-knit family, the Herald Sun reported.
Browitt was yesterday listed by New Zealand Police as officially missing.
Following the eruption, her father Paul was taken to Auckland Hospital while her sister Stephanie was taken to Christchurch Hospital.
It is believed arrangements were being made to try and take Paul and Stephanie back to Australia.
Anthony, Kristine and Winona Langford
While Jesse Langford has been accounted for and is in hospital, his parents, Anthony and Kristine, and sister Winona are still missing.
They were all on White Island when the volcano erupted.
Tipene Maangi
It was just one month into Tipene Maangi’s job as a guide for White Island Tours when the island erupted.
Maangi, from Te Whānau a Apanui and Ngāti Porou iwi, has been described as a loving young man, who always puts others before himself.
Long-time friend Shaniah Semmens described him as a very cool, caring and funny person who was well-loved.
“I would rather it have been me than him out there.”
Those who love him are still hopeful he’s survived and his father spent Tuesday standing at the Whakatāne wharf, staring at Whakaari.
Dozens of family and friends have posted to social media praying to Whakaari/White Island to give Maangi back to them.
“Give us back our whanauanga. It’s time to come, my bro, our ‘koro’ Tipene Maangi,” one said.
“We won’t lose hope on you. Praying to hear you get off that ashy volcano today… Hoki mai e hoa, nui te aroha.”
The injured
Paul and Stephanie Browitt
Krystal Browitt’s father Paul and her sister Stephanie have been hospitalised and are reportedly both in comas.
A Gofundme page has been created to support the family.
Jake Milbank
Young White Island tour guide Jake Milbank suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and is now in Middlemore Hospital’s intensive care unit.
A family friend described him as passionate about nature and all living creatures, especially everything in the sea as he and his father spend a lot of time together out there.
“He is a very kind boy with a huge heart,” she said.
Jesse Langford
Australian teenager Jesse Langford has reportedly been found alive after the worst was feared.
It is believed his extended family are flying to New Zealand to be with him in hospital.
The 19-year-old’s parents Anthony and Kristine as well as his sister Winona, 17, all remain unaccounted for.
The family were initially listed as missing on the New Zealand Red Cross’ Registrar.
Anthony Langford’s brother, Rodney, earlier confirmed the family were on the Ovation of the Seas cruise.
“All we know is that they went on a cruise on White Island, there was an explosion and they’re missing,” he had told 7 News.
Lisa Dallow
Adelaide mum and engineer Lisa Dallow, 48, suffered serious burns and was taken to Waikato Hospital.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that her husband, Gavin, and daughter, Zoe, had died in the explosion.
Rick and Ivy Kohn Reed
American pair Rick and Ivy Kohn Reed reportedly both required surgery after suffering burns in the White Island eruption.
It was believed both would be moved to Christchurch Hospital.
Matthew and Lauren Urey
Matthew Urey’s mother got a text message from her son. There’d been an eruption and they’d been really badly burned, it said.
He’d try to call but his hands were so badly burned, it was hard for him to use his phone.
He told his mother he and Lauren had been taken to hospital, but their family haven’t heard anything since.
Lauren Urey’s mother relayed the conversation to the Washington Post and said she was panicking.
The couple had been on their honeymoon.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the couple by friends who say they “feel completely helpless in this situation”.
“We want to do what we can in order to ease the burden of their recovery.
“Any money raised from this campaign will be given directly to Matt and Lauren in order to cover expenses resulting from this disaster for themselves and their family.”
As at 10am on Thursday, more than $10,000 had been raised.
Marion and Nick London
Australian media are also reporting Marion and Nick London, from Engadine in southern Sydney, are in hospital following the eruption.
Marion, 56, was in a critical condition while Nick, 58, had serious head injuries, the Sutherland Shire news service reported.