Tornado Victims named

Police have released the names of the three men who died during a
tornado which ripped through Whenuapai and Hobsonville yesterday.

The names of the three deceased are:

STOWERS / Tom
DOB 22/3/1970
Resident of Massey

LANGFORD / Keith
DOB 17/6/1952
Resident of Tuakau

JOHNSON/ Brendon
DOB 8/3/1990
Resident of Massey

Police and Civil Defence have now moved to a recovery phase in the aftermath of the tornado.

Welfare support and reassurance to all residents affected by yesterdays tragic event is continuing.

Police and Civil Defence have yet to decide on when the existing cordon in Hobsonville will be lifted.

Waitemata Police District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle says Civil Defence are working as quickly
as possible to establish which houses in the effected area of Hobsonville are safe for their owners to return.

"In the meantime I ask everyone to be patient, " he said.

Police extend their sympathy and condolences to the immediate families of the three deceased.