16-year-olds die in horror crash
An illegal teenage driver who crashed a car killing himself and one of his passengers was yesterday named.
He was Dexter Barham, a learner driver. He and Rose Brown, both aged 16 and from Christchurch, were travelling south on State Highway 1, about 2 kilometres north of Amberley, near Christchurch, shortly after 6am on Sunday.
The white Nissan Silvia the pair were in crossed the centre line and collided head-on with a northbound four-wheel-drive Holden Colorado, according to police. The pair died at the scene. Three other people were injured. Police have not yet named the pair, but
has learned their identities. Dexter and another teenager in the Silvia, who was injured, had attended Shirley Boys’ High School. Acting principal Tim Grocott said Dexter left school at the end of last year. The injured boy, who was still a student, was recovering in hospital. He was understood to have a head injury.
The tragedy had ‘‘hit us really badly’’, Grocott said, and counselling services were being offered to students.
Lincoln High School was equally ‘‘devastated by the tragic loss of one of our students’’, Rose, principal Kathy Paterson said.
‘‘Our thoughts are with Rose’s family as they come to terms with the loss.’’
Family and friends of Dexter and Rose, who was often called Burgundy, have shared their grief on Facebook.
Rose’s brother Trent Brown posted: ‘‘What I would do to say I love you one more time, to hug you one more time … seriously love you Burgundy Rose and I will forever treasure the moments I spend with you and Dexter I love you guys so much and I’m glad you guys were happy together forever loving you Burgundy (sic).’’
It is understood Dexter, the driver on a learner licence, was forbidden to carry passengers without a supervisor who had held a full licence for at least two years. None of the teenagers could have met this criteria. The group were believed to have been travelling back from Nelson after picking up the car there.
‘‘Proof that a couple of bad decision can end in terrible consequence (sic),’’ a friend of Dexter’s posted.
‘‘My thoughts are with their family’s especially my bro. RIP Dexter Barham and Burgundy will truly be missed (sic).’’
A friend of Rose’s said it had been ‘‘a pleasure’’ to call her ‘‘my best friend’’: ‘‘[I] will never wrap my head around that your gone. But you will forever be remembered I love you so much my Rose x (sic).’’
Another friend posted saying the teenager was ‘‘a beautiful, intelligent, amazing person’’ who ‘‘brought so much joy to everyone’’ around her and had ‘‘so much potential’’.
‘‘It’s so unbelievable that you’re gone. I am missing you every second Burgundy.’’
Two men in the 4WD were taken to hospital and the driver is in a stable condition and the passenger, comfortable.
A woman who said she was one of the first to arrive at the crash scene said it was ‘‘a horrific sight’’.
Police were investigating the cause of the crash, which brought the 2018 road toll to 86.