Friends' parents seek hope in tragedy

ROSS GIBLIN/The Dominion Post

FRIENDS IN MOURNING: Shayna Richardson, Amanda Alnek-Forster and Morgan Jessep mourn the death of their friend Tiana Law.

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Parents whose children are mourning a teenage friend's death in a car crash hope the accident serves as a warning to other young people.

Tiana Law, 16, died when a 4WD driven by Hona Spratt, 16, lost control on gravel and rolled on Maungakotukutuku Rd near Paraparaumu on Wednesday.

She was a passenger and had been texting a friend moments earlier.

Four of the six occupants were Paraparaumu College students wagging school. Hona and Ben Clifton, 19, who suffered serious injuries and was in a comfortable condition in Wellington Hospital last night, were former pupils.

Before Tiana was thrown from the vehicle as it skidded, rolled and hit a lamp-post, Amanda Alnek-Forster, 16, received a text from her saying she would be at college in time for morning break.

"I text back and said I would meet her at the pole. But she didn't text back. Normally she would text back straight away."

The concrete pole at the school was a favourite meeting place for Tiana and her friends. Yesterday it was covered with messages – "will miss you forever", "love you babe"– flowers and balloons.

Amanda's mother, Kristi Alnek, said Tiana was well mannered and respectful. "Every time teenagers walk out the door is a worry, but seeing this close group of friends, who are like a family, go through this tragedy might help them understand how parents feel, and think twice before getting in cars.

"It might make them a bit more aware because they do not want to lose another one. You cannot live life thinking of all the what-ifs, but you can live sensibly – that is what I hope the kids think about."

Elders from Waikanae's Whakarongotai Marae visited the college yesterday. About 300 pupils broke into an impromptu farewell, performing haka and waiata.

Tiana's friends described her as fun and energetic. "You never had bad times with her, only good times. She always made you happy if you had a bad day," Amanda said.

A tearful Chanell Butcher said a day would not go by when she did not think of Tiana.

Sitting beside the pole, Tiana's classmate James Bailey said she loved everyone and always made people feel comfortable.

Chris Webber, 17, survived the accident. His father Dave Thomas said it was an absolute tragedy. "The other boys were very lucky. I hope some good can come out of it. They were obviously having a bit of fun but just a few inches this or that way can turn so tragic."

Principal Richard Campbell believed the impromptu farewell had helped pupils. "There are still people very sad, but the students have been able to resolve what has happened and started to pay their farewells."

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