Waverley crash: Sole survivor Ani Nohinohi fights for her life

The sole survivor of the horror Waverley crash was last night fighting for her life - unaware she has lost those closest to her - while the small Taranaki town was mourning four beloved locals.

Seven people were killed in the head-on smash on Wednesday including Ian Porteous, 80, his wife Rosalie, 76, his sister Ora Keene, 84, and friend Brenda Williams, 79, who were in the northbound car and died at the scene.

Jockeys at Waverley Race Club wore black arm bands yesterday as a mark of respect to the four locals and the bowling club was said to be mourning "a big hole".

Meanwhile the sole survivor Ani Nohinohi was last night in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital after the crash that killed her partner, 8-year-old daughter and newborn baby girl. They were travelling in the southbound car.

Nohinohi's daughter Nivek Madams, who had just celebrated her eighth birthday on Tuesday, was blessed by a Waikato Hospital pastor before she died yesterday morning.

The blessing was performed at the request of her father, Kevin, who is in prison for the murder of a Black Power gang president.

A family member said a phone was put to Nivek's ear in her hospital bed so her father and other relatives could speak to her.

Nivek's sister 8-week-old Shady Thompson and stepfather 28-year-old Jeremy Thompson had died shortly after the crash.

A Givealittle page set up to help the family with funeral expenses said Nivek and Shady were "close sisters and part of a caring whānau, deeply loved by their friends & family. Their tragic passing has been devastating for everyone.

"As the new cluster of Matariki stars for those who have left us were announced these little lives sadly slid away."