Manjinder Singh, Sandeep Singh and Varinderpal Singh have been identified as the three men killed in a late-night crash on New Zealand’s State Highway 1 near Waiouru.

The trio, all Indian migrants on work visas, died when the car they were travelling in collided with a tanker truck about 5km north of Waiouru shortly before midnight.

Police say the vehicle is believed to have crossed the centre line moments before the impact, though investigations into the cause are ongoing.

Manjinder Singh, a married father of two young daughters aged three and seven, was travelling with his friends from Wellington to Tauranga at the time of the crash, according to family members. Sandeep Singh is also survived by a wife and child in India.

Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong described the incident as “heartbreaking”, confirming all three occupants of the car died at the scene, while the tanker driver sustained moderate injuries.

Emergency services, including a helicopter, were deployed amid initial concerns a fourth व्यक्ति may have been involved, but this was later ruled out.

Police said a serious crash investigation is underway to determine exactly what led to the vehicle crossing into oncoming traffic.

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