Dear Michael,
After listening to your radio talk back show on the tragic death of Tayne Bowes last month after his father's Ute fell into a Gold Miners slurry pond in Hokitika, we thought it best we write to you enlightening the situation.
Yours and many others suggested opinion on Tayne's father Mark was "how could a father leave his kids in a car and run away", since this time our friend Mark has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. It is unknown yet what impact this had on the accident, however the symptoms of his diagnoses are; random seizures, headaches and memory impairment, all of which Mark experienced and is currently being medically treated for following the accident.
For all those that know Mark, hearing the awful news and details unfold was heart breaking but sparked questions as to what really happened as leaving his children in a situation like this is completely out of character. Of course it's only a natural thing to think, like many people did, exactly what you said, however, the real Mark Bowes in a healthy fit state of mind would have ripped the roof of that Ute and drowned himself to save his kids.
Mark was operated on last week with the hope of removing the tumour, but the family were and are totally unprepared for the diagnoses of a malignant tumour. He is now receiving palliative radiotherapy in Christchurch for the next 6 weeks, away from his home of Hokitika. Mark and his family have been told he possibly has only months to live, with this leaving behind his beloved wife Katrina and daughter Keira, who is a survivor of this terrible accident.
We wanted to bring this story to you and New Zealand to share a bit about Mark Bowes who tragically lost his son on that terrible day and to hear the truth of the ordeal this family has suffered and are still suffering.
There has been a trust set up for Keira Bowes by the people of Hokitika and it is our hope that you perchance are in a position to be a voice to help facilitate great things for this brave little girl and her family.
We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully making some small positive impact in this family's future.
Kind regards,
Family and Friends of Mark Bowes