Teen killed, five injured in Kapiti crash

BY GREER MCDONALD AND PAUL EASTON

Friends of the 16-year-old girl who died following a crash today have paid tribute to the Paraparaumu College pupil. 

A number took to the internet and left messages on her Bebo site. "RIP ... love you always so sad to see you go you were a great friend!!!xoxox," wrote one.

Another wrote: "Rest in peace qorqeous [sic]. Your such an amazinq friend always there for others. Im so happy i have lots of memories with you. Always qonna be in my heart, Never forqotten"

Another: "Rip. Will never ever forget u we had so many good times…"

Police have not yet confirmed the name of the young girl with next of kin still to be advised.

The girl died after she was thrown from a ute when it rolled near Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast this morning.

Another five people in the four-wheel-drive Hilux were injured, one seriously.

Grief counsellors are at Paraparaumu College to help pupils following the crash.

It is understood four of them, including the girl who was killed, were Paraparaumu College pupils. The other two were no longer at school.

The vehicle failed to take a right hand bend on a gravel section of the road and rolled before hitting a lamppost, police said.

The teen had used her Bebo page to talk about her "beautiful" sister and the love of her older brother.

She wrote of her desire to visit England one day and her weakness was "kids when they are hurt".

In a questionnaire on the site, the brunette teen with “bluey greeny” eyes revealed that she “maybe’” wanted to get married, she feared spiders and that she didn’t hate anyone. “Nope it a strong word”.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the accident at 9.16am on Maungakotukutuku Rd, inland from State Highway 1.

A Wellington Free Ambulance spokesman said the girl who was killed was thrown from the ute when it rolled near the top of the hill.

The Westpac rescue helicopter was called in to fly the seriously injured young man, who had head injuries, to Wellington Hospital.

"He was drifting in and out of consciousness," helicopter crew spokesman Dave Greenberg said.

Four other patients with moderate to serious injuries were taken to hospital by Wellington Free Ambulance.

The road has been closed while police investigate.

A spokeswoman for Paraparaumu College said counsellors from the Education Ministry were on site as the school went in to "crisis management".

Classes were carrying on as usual but the grief counsellors were there for those students who were affected and wished to speak with someone about the incident.

"All we can say is that we are aware of the accident, we are aware that some of our students are involved but we cannot confirm any specific names as we have not been formally told by police at this time."

Education Ministry deputy secretary for special education Nick Pole confirmed a traumatic incident team was working to support staff at Paraparaumu College.

"The aim is to provide support and information for teachers and school management on how to support students in their care," he said.

The deceased's family were being advised, Kapiti Police senior sergeant Alisdair Macmillan said.

Wellington Free Ambulance sent three ambulances to the scene, as well as two rapid response paramedics, an emergency doctor from Kapiti, and the helicopter paramedic.

Wellington Free Ambulance Team Manager James McMeekin said it responded swiftly to the accident.

"The first paramedic arrived within minutes of the accident occurring and the helicopter was deployed immediately."

- with MICHAEL FOX, Stuff.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News