So astonished and heartbroken to hear that the tornado that carved it's way through Motonui farmland yesterday morning and claimed the life of Rosina Wikohika, took it's second victim when 10 year old Gary Mason's life support was turned off earlier today.
I phoned my sister, who lives in Waitara township, to hear how the tornado had moved over farmland on the road we used to live on - thankfully not on the other side of the road where my grandfather still resides - taking roofs off cattle sheds and side swiping other houses before reducing the Mason's home to kindling.
I thought tornados like this didn't occur in New Zealand. I thought our tournadoes were more like small flurries that'll developed, taking off roofing iron or maybe tree branches, then disapated.