Tributes flow for ‘beautiful’ teens killed in off-road crash
The two teenage girls who died after crashing their 4WD in the top of the south on Monday evening have been remembered as beautiful and amazing.
Joanna Beach and Bondi Reihana Richmond, both 18, were driving their 4WD off Beebys Knob track in Mt Richmond Forest Park at 11pm on Monday when they crashed.
They both lived in Waikawa, near Picton. In a tribute online, a friend said: “So sad for all involved. God got two beautiful girls.”
Another friend wrote: “rest in peace pretty girls.”
Richmond’s father paid tribute to her on TikTok, saying she was the “most beautiful, amazing daughter”.
“Love you Bondi.”
Police and rescuers found the pair after they were able to follow the co-ordinates of the Apple Crash Detection beacon that had alerted them to the incident.
There appeared to be a drop of about 150m from where the beacon went off to the Beeby’s Knob driving track they were believed to have been driving on.
A helicopter, police, police dogs and
Land Search and Rescue staff were called to help locate the teens after the alert was launched, a police spokesperson said.
The 4WD was found down a steep bank, and both girls were found outside the vehicle.
“Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing and will be presented to the Coroner.”
The track, which 4WD vehicles have access to from December 1 to April 30, required a permit from the Department of Conservation’s Rotoiti Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre, which the centre’s manager, John Wotherspoon, said the pair had.
“We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the two young women,” Wotherspoon said.
Betty Whyte, the principal of Queen Charlotte College, said Beach and Richmond started their high school education at Marlborough Girls’ College before joining her school when they reached year 10.
“They were lovely, bubbly girls. They were really close.”
Whyte said they always had a smile on their faces, and were looking at options post-high school in practical trades. They left Queen Charlotte College in 2023.