A married couple and their friend have been killed in a car accident while on a 'trip of a lifetime ' in New Zealand . Mitchell and Ruth Peterson , who had five children together , and grandmother Tammy Barnett from Richfield , Utah , were in an SUV when they turned into into the path of the truck outside the North Island city of Hamilton on Tuesday . Mrs Barnett 's husband , Richard , was injured in the crash and was in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital on Thursday afternoon . The members of the Latter-Day Saints Church were visiting the branch in Hamilton , the New Zealand Herald reported . Tammy Barnett from Richfield , Utah , was killed when an SUV overturned near the city of Hamilton , in New Zealand , during a 'trip of a lifetime ' . Her husband Richard ( pictured ) was injured in the crash and was in a stable condition in hospital on Thursday . Tragic : 'Devoted ' parents Mitchell and Ruth Peterson , who had five children together , were also killed . They were travelling in a convoy with other tourists who witnessed the crash , and local police are now investigating . Their wrecked vehicle was discovered by an off-duty police officer who was on his way home . On Monday , when they touched down following a flight from Los Angeles , he wrote on Facebook : 'We made it to New Zealand . Wish I could say the same for our luggage . Or at least tammys . ' Mr Barnett , who is an orthodontist in the town , and his late wife , have four children and four grandchildren together . Mr Peterson was a LDS in his ward and ran a visitor center . Richfield Mayor David Ogden told the Desert News : 'The whole valley has been affected by this . We all know them . They are so important in our lives , and so we are going to rally around the families . ' A GoFundMe page set up in a bid to cover Mr Barnett 's medical and Mrs Barnett 's funeral costs read : Our dearest wife , mother , daughter , sister , aunt , grandmother and friend Tammy tragically left us while on the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand with her beloved husband Richard . 'Tammy had an incredible energy about her and will be sorely missed . We have the unique opportunity to make this time a little easier to bear . Family : Mr Barnett ( left ) is an orthodontist in the Utah town . The pair ( pictured with their son Topher ) were said to be well-known and respected within the community and were members of the Mormon church . Mr Barnett updated his Facebook status when they landed in New Zealand following a flight from Los Angeles . He is expected to be released from hospital this week . Couple : Mrs Barnett , pictured with her 'beloved ' husband in 1980 was described as a woman who had an 'incredible energy ' and will be sorely missed . 'Let 's band together as family and friends to show our love and support for Tammy and Richard . Please , if you are able , we would love your assistance to help cover the funeral and associated expenses . 'Thank you for your support during this difficult time . ' The page has already raised $ 4,655 . A separate page to cover Mr and Mrs Peterson 's funeral costs read : 'Mitchell and Ruth died in a tragic car accident in New Zealand . They were on a trip of a life time . Mitch and Ruth leave five beautiful children to take on the responsibility of funeral costs . 'Please help this sweet family through a very tragic time with the funeral costs of their mother and father . 'Mitch and Ruth are the type of people you are drawn to . They would do anything for anyone and they had a contagious energy . Scene : Their wrecked vehicle was discovered by an off-duty police officer who was on his way home . 'They were devoted parents who would sacrifice everything for their children . As they talked about their children you could see their absolute love and devotion to them . Their children were the center of their universe . 'Mitch and Ruth cared deeply about the people in their little community . If you knew them you could n't help but love them . They called so many of us friends . 'Mitch was a great Dr who cared for all of his patients and they all could feel that love and compassion . 'Mitch and Ruth belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints . Mitch is the Bishop of his ward and cared so deeply for the people whom he served . 'Mitch and Ruth are amazing parents , grandparents , children , aunt and uncle , cousins and friends . They will be deeply missed by so many ! ' It has already raised more than $ 4,000 .
Mitch and Ruth Peterson and friend Tammy Barnett from Richfield , Utah , were killed in the crash just outside of the city of Hamilton . Members of the Mormon church were in an SUV when it overturned . Mrs Barnett 's husband Richard was injured in the crash and is stable . Families are raising money to cover funeral expenses and medical costs .