Injured teen ‘has fought every step’

A Blenheim teenager seriously hurt in a car crash that killed his friend has been brought out of an induced coma.

Jordan Bosch, 17, was one of eight teenage passengers in a SUV when it crashed last Sunday, killing 16-year-old Lara Glover.

Jordan was transferred to Wellington Hospital and put into an induced coma.

His father Jade Bosch said spinal surgery went well and Jordan was moved from the intensive care unit into the hospital ward on Friday.

‘‘I’m exhausted but you go into parental overdrive,’’ Bosch said.

‘‘It is daunting to not know what the future holds. Jordan has fought every step of the way.’’

Jordan’s condition was downgraded from serious to stable.

Another teenager hurt in the crash and transferred to Christchurch remained in a stable condition, but had been transferred to the Burwood Spinal Unit.

A teenager at Wairau Hospital, who had been in a stable condition, had been discharged.

About 400 people attended Lara’s funeral at the Mayfield Chapel, in Blenheim, on Friday.

All teenage passengers from the accident, apart from the two still in hospital, attended the service.

The eight teenagers, who ranged in age from 15 to 17, were in the car when it crashed on State Highway 1 near Spring Creek on February 19.

Lara’s mother Jayne Glover said the service was a beautiful tribute to her daughter.

‘‘I do want to say ‘thank you’ to the whole Blenheim community, our family has had some amazing support,’’ she said.

‘‘And to all of Lara’s friends, live life and carry on. You have the support you need, all you have to do is ask.’’

Sixteen monarch butterflies, Lara’s favourite insect, were released at the end of the funeral.