Ex-NRL star Issac Luke’s father has been confirmed as the ninth victim of Cyclone Gabrielle, which blasted through New Zealand this week.
George Luke and his partner Mau Goodman were returning to Hastings from Rotorua on Monday when a slip hit their car twice, according to The New Zealand Herald.
They took the winding route over the Kaweka Ranges when bad weather closed the Napier-Taupo road.
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*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
*Odds are current as of 17th February 2023, 6:32pm AEST
Cleary: We’re prepared to sit out games | 00:57
A searched part was launched after they failed to arrive home and family did not hear from the coule.
They were eventually located on Thursday and evacuated by helicopter, separately flown to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in Hastings, where Luke later died.
Goodman was “all scratched up” according to one family member, but is now recovering.
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Luke wrote on social media that he was “broken” by his father’s death.
“My first hero. See you soon dad. I love you.”
Luke made 286 NRL appearances in stints at the Rabbitohs, Warriors, Dragons and Broncos, while aslo representing New Zealand 43 times.
He retired in 2020 and spent last week in Rotorua where he was an assistant coach for the Māori All Stars for their match against the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday.
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