A memorial service was held outside the New Zealand town of Gisborne on Chistmas Eve to pay tribute to the victims of a bus crash that killed three Tongan visitors last year. The memorial marks a year since the tragic accident occurred.

The service was organized by 'Victim Support', a New Zealand based charity that offers support to the victims of tragedies. Held near the site of the crash, the service was attended by members of the Tongan community, the Methodist Church in Gisborne, New Zealand Police and Victim Support. A sermon was delivered by a police chaplain. 

The tragedy occurred on 24 December 2016 when a bus carrying 53 people drove off of a highway and crashed down a steep embankment. The bus was carrying mostly members of a brass band from Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College in Vava’u – who were touring New Zealand to raise funds.

Forty-four passengers were injured in the crash with some undergoing surgery and intensive rehabilitation. The victims who died in the bus crash were Sione Taumalolo (11), Talita fifita (33) and Leotisia Malakai (55), all from Vava’u.

The driver of the bus, Talakai Aholelei (65) was charged by New Zealand Police, and later pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving in October. He is due to face sentencing next month.

Vicki Crosswell from Victim Support told the Gisborne Herald “There were about a dozen of us there and it was a very emotional time.”

“We wanted to do something on behalf of the Tongan people who were on that bus to mark the anniversary of the crash."