Jesse Risale, from Porirua, was killed in Samoa when the vehicle he was in flipped and rolled down a small bank.

Two New Zealand men, including one from Porirua, were killed in a crash while visiting Samoa last week.

Otahuhu College student Thesaurus Heather, and Jesse Risale, died after a Land Cruiser 4WD skidded off a Vailoa, Faleata road, Talamua.com reported.

A witness, Uifagasa Lafoga, told the Samoa Observer the crash happened about 3am on Thursday.

"The vehicle was heading towards the east - it was going fast - and I heard a big bang," he said.

"After that I heard another big bang again and I knew the vehicle was in trouble. The vehicle must've rolled over and over again."

Lafoga said he found an almost empty bottle of bourbon at the scene, and police said alcohol and speeding were factors in the crash.

Mana College principal Mike Webster said Mr Risale had left the school in 2009 but the family had a long association with the school - Jesse's dad is an old boy, and Jesse's brother and sister are still at the school.



''They are a wonderful, giving family and we feel for them on this tragedy, we have sympathy and support for them and hope we can help them be strong through this awful thing.''



Mr Webster said Mr Risale had been a well-liked student, and was a top volleyball player, coming back to support the team after he left the school.



He said Mr Risale's brother had returned to school since the death to sit his year 9 exams, which he said was typical of the family's strength and fortitude.

A Facebook page has been set up in Heather's memory.

A woman aged 19 was also involved in the crash, the Observer reported.