An Auckland church is mourning the death of one of its members, who was killed when a car crashed into a cafe on Auckland’s North Shore yesterday.
Emergency services were called to William Souter St in Forrest Hill shortly before 9am after a car mounted a curb, hitting two people before smashing into a building.
A person was taken to the hospital in a critical condition but died of their injuries. Two others were also injured in the crash, with one taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
The Windsor Park Baptist Church identified Sarah Clark, a staff member and part of the church community, as the person killed in the “tragic accident”. It also said her daughter was one of those injured.
1News footage showed police officers investigating the scene on William Souter St. (Source: 1News)
On Facebook, the church paid tribute to Clark as a “dear colleague and friend”.
It said Clark was the manager of the Windsor Park LifeCare Trust, the church’s faith-based counselling centre.
“Sarah faithfully served on our staff team for more than seven years and had been part of the Windsor Park church family for many decades, serving in various leadership capacities.”
It said she had met her husband Cam through the church’s youth ministry.
“Together, they have invested deeply in the life of this community.
“Sarah will be remembered for her deep faith, her leadership, her friendship, and the genuine care she showed to so many.”
The post said “our hearts ache” for Clark’s children as they “face this devastating loss”.
“Even as we hold onto the hope that Sarah is now with the Lord, we grieve deeply with those who loved her.”
It said her daughter who suffered “minor injuries” had returned home from hospital.
The church said it would welcome those grieving Clark’s death.