Girl dead in Port Hills crash
A teenage girl who died in a fiery late-night Christchurch crash is being remembered as ‘‘caring’’ and one of the ‘‘loveliest girls’’.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Summit Rd on the Port Hills, near the Victoria Park car park and the Dyers Pass Rd intersection, about 11pm on Wednesday.
It is understood 17-year-old Tayla Alexander, of Ashburton, died. Three other teenagers were injured, including one critically, and taken to Christchurch Hospital.
At least six people tried frantically to rescue those trapped inside the car after it crashed down a bank and caught fire.
A friend said Tayla was one of the most ‘‘caring and loveliest girls’’ she knew. ‘‘She put her heart on her sleeve . . . she was a beautiful girl and she’s going to be terribly missed.’’
She said the news of Tayla’s death had affected many in Ashburton.
‘‘I think that’s the hard thing about being from a small town, everyone knows everyone, so from this event so many people are going to [be] affected.’’
Kevin Clark was driving along Summit Rd towards the Sign of the Kiwi when he saw smoke and flames coming from a car that had crashed down the bank.
‘‘It was right on that bend; it’s a horrible corner as it is.’’
He was stopped by about six people asking for a knife to help rescue those trapped in the car.
Clark gave them a craft knife he had in the back of his car. ‘‘All of the people there were trying to put out the fire and doing all they could to help the people out.’’
Emergency services showed up about 10 minutes later, Clark said.
Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger said police appealed for any witnesses to the crash or any reports of the manner of the driver’s driving before the crash.
Summit Rd reopened by mid yesterday afternoon. A Christchurch City Council spokesman said the Harry Ell Track had also reopened, but Thompsons Track remained shut as there was damage to the boardwalk.
Less than three hours later, there was a second serious crash in Canterbury. A person was flown to Christchurch Hospital with serious injuries after the car they were in hit a power pole in Cust, between Oxford and Rangiora, about 1.30am yesterday.