Noosa mourns loss of teacher and student after fatal crash in New Zealand on school trip Two Australian tourists have died and seven others injured, after a van collided with a milk tanker in NZ. Gabriel Runge, 16, died in the crash. Outdoor education co-ordinator Andre Vogel was also killed. THE adventure-loving Noosa teacher who died with one of his students in New Zealand had discussed risk education on his school-linked outdoor education website. Father-of-two Andre Vogel, 36, and student Gabriel Runge, 16, died when their van collided with a milk truck in New Zealand on Friday afternoon. They, along with seven fellow staff and students of Noosa Pengari Steiner School, had left their homes in one of Queensland's most popular beach communities to tackle the New Zealand wilderness. Almost at the end of their trip, Mr Vogel and Mr Runge completed the Tongariro Crossing - a world-renowned trek - with the school group on Friday. It was to be their last adventure. Six other students, and teacher Tricia Jeffree, were injured when the hire van Vogel was driving collided with a milk tanker on State Highway 5 near Reporoa just after 4.30pm. Last night all but one student involved, including the tanker driver, had been discharged. A 16-year-old boy was in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital. School relief teacher Melissa Bland said she knew Runge, his parents and his older brother well. ""I've known him since he was a little tot ... he was a beautiful, beautiful boy. He was just lots of good fun."" She said the school community was coming together to support each other, including ""a whole lot of parents"" flying to New Zealand. ""I've been crying all morning. It's affecting everybody. A parent with children at the school, Karen Callihoo, said the community was devastated. ""They're going to be missed greatly, it's just tragic."" Police said Mr Vogel was driving the van when it drifted across the road. Teachers and parents gather outside Noosa Pengari Steiner School after the tragic accident. "Initial examination of the scene suggests that the van containing the teachers and students drifted across the centreline and collided with the milk truck," A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said. The reason it crossed the centreline is still to be established through the investigation. The school group was due to arrive back in Australia today. Mr Vogel, a keen cyclist, outdoor recreation guide and kayak teacher, was the school's outdoor education coordinator. He was involved in the Patagonian Expedition Race in 2010, an annual event over 10 days. His team did not finish the race which involved 248km of mountain biking, 150km of trekking and 105km of river and sea kayaking. Mr Vogel had a website set up called "NPSS Outdoors," with one post discussing risk education at the school. The scene of the fatal crash near Reporoa, New Zealand. "The truth is that everything we do is not safe, and never will be," he wrote on the webpage. One of the things that makes Outdoor and Adventure Education so unique is that we use risk and uncertainty as an educational tool. "The question we should be asking ourselves is not "what will happen to my child on this trip?" but "what will happen to my child, in the coming years, if they do not take this trip?" Principal Allen Kloeden said the school was offering counselling, support and care for everyone involved. "Since receiving this news, a team of staff members have been activating support, gathering information, counselling and care for everyone involved," he said in a statement. Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Vogel and Mr Runge. Emergency services at the scene. Pic: Rotorua Daily Post Source: Supplied Meghan Halverson posted a photo of herself with Mr Runge, writing: "My heart aches beyond comprehension. Forever in my heart you are and our lives will not be the same without you. The Outdoor Educators" Association Queensland posted on Facebook that Vogel worked in northern Queensland for several years before ""pouring his passion"" into creating the Steiner school's outdoor education programme. ""He was highly regarded for his skill, passion and commitment to educating and enjoying the outdoors. Andre touched the lives of all of those who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him."" Additional reporting Herald on Sunday