Key Takeaways:
- A landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park has left six people missing, including Italian teenager Sharon Maccanico and Rotorua grandmother Sue Knowles.
- Sue Knowles is a property manager and grandmother who was previously hailed as a hero for saving her 5-year-old granddaughter from a dog attack.
- A second teenager is also missing, but their identity has not been confirmed.
- A Swedish tourist and a woman who was trying to warn others about the unstable hillside are also among the missing.
- Two people, believed to be a grandmother and her 10-year-old grandson, were killed in a separate slip in Welcome Bay.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The recent landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park has left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. Six people are still missing, and the search efforts are ongoing. Among the missing are Italian teenager Sharon Maccanico and Rotorua grandmother Sue Knowles. Sue Knowles is a well-respected property manager who has been described as friendly and professional. She is also a grandmother and a hero, having saved her 5-year-old granddaughter from a dog attack in 2023.
Sue Knowles: A Hero and a Grandmother
Sue Knowles is a remarkable woman who has made a significant impact on her community. She has been working as a property manager for EVES in Rotorua since 2007 and is known for her friendly and professional demeanor. Outside of work, she enjoys horse riding, mountain biking, and spending time with her family. In 2023, she was hailed as a hero when she saved her 5-year-old granddaughter from a dog attack. Her bravery and selflessness have earned her the respect and admiration of her community. Her daughter has described her as "not just a great Mum and Granna … You’re the greatest woman I know."
The Landslide and Its Aftermath
The landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park occurred on Thursday morning, and the search efforts are still ongoing. The slip came down at the holiday park, and several people are still unaccounted for. The authorities are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals and provide support to the affected families. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and people are coming together to offer their support and condolences to the families of the missing.
Other Missing Individuals
In addition to Sue Knowles and Sharon Maccanico, several other individuals are still missing. A Swedish tourist is among the missing, and the Swedish Foreign Affairs ministry has confirmed that one of its citizens is unaccounted for in New Zealand. A woman who was trying to warn others about the unstable hillside is also missing. She was believed to have been inside the toilet block when a second, larger landslide hit. A second teenager is also missing, but their identity has not been confirmed. Some reports suggest that Sharon Maccanico’s sibling may also be missing, but this has not been confirmed.
Welcome Bay Fatalities
In a separate incident, two people were killed in a landslide in Welcome Bay. The victims are believed to be a grandmother and her 10-year-old grandson. The grandmother was a woman of Chinese descent, and her grandson was described as a bright and inquisitive young piano student. The incident has left the community in shock, and the authorities are working to provide support to the affected family.
Search Efforts and Community Support
The search efforts at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park are ongoing, and the authorities are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. The community is coming together to offer their support and condolences to the families of the missing. The incident has highlighted the importance of community and the need for support and solidarity in times of crisis. As the search efforts continue, the community remains hopeful that the missing individuals will be found safe and sound.