Parish, school mourn loss of five-year-old boy in crash

Ivar Crowther, five, and his father, Steven, died on November 20 after a crash between a truck and a car north of Timaru State Highway 1.

A recent school newsletter stated that Ivar’s death was a tragedy that had affected everyone in the community.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain fully with the Kroon and Crowther whānau in what is an impossibly sad situation. Some things are more than we can handle by ourselves, but nothing is impossible for God,” the newsletter stated.

Holy Family Timaru Catholic Parish priest Fr Christopher Friel also paid tribute online, saying words were difficult to find when it entailed farewelling a “small boy of nearly six years”.

“Ivar’s funeral [on November 27] drew a large congregation to support his mum Hana and family. The heavy morning rain was replaced by a very warm sunny afternoon to help dry the many tears,” Fr Friel said.

In a post on social media, Ivar’s mother, Hana Kroon, said her son brought “so much joy, laughter and light” into the lives of others.

“Our hearts are broken in a way we never knew was possible, and we are still trying to understand how life can change so painfully and so quickly,” the post read.

In a November 27 social media post, Ms Kroon thanked the community for an outpouring of support.

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Mother’s heartfelt tribute to five-year-old son killed in Timaru crash (By Jazlyn Whales/New Zealand Herald)