Crash victim farewelled
Children sang, cried and farewelled their young friend at the funeral of a 12-year-old girl killed in a car crash.
Meadow James was given an emotional sendoff in Palmerston North on Saturday, with most of the speaking duties left to her young friends.
The chapel at the Kelvin Grove crematorium was packed with friends and family for the farewell.
A feather cloak was draped over her white coffin and pink and white flowers were on display.
Meadow and Ihaia Mcpheemaxwell, 15, died when the stolen blue Subaru they were fleeing police in hit a power pole near Longburn, just outside Palmerston North, last week.
Ihaia was at the wheel. Friends and family paid tribute to ‘‘Medz’’, who they said was fun, loved to sing and dance, and they recalled fond memories.
One group of mourners wore T-shirts with Meadow’s photo on the back that said ‘‘RIP Myzsyfar’’ and ‘‘Rest in paradise Meadow James’’.
Another girl spoke about how she always told Meadow not to do things like go out and get in cars.
A group of her friends sang a song as they embraced each other and cried, then there was a presentation of pictures and videos from throughout her life that made a few laugh and cry.
Once her coffin was taken outside, a haka was performed, before they went to the grave site and a karakia was said.
Ihaia’s funeral was on Friday.