Police have released the names of the three teenage girls who died in a crash in Central Hawke's Bay.
Flowers at the scene of the crash. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
Julianna Hickey, 18, was killed alongside Sharrisse Tuaiti Perawiti Taputerangituatea (also known as Sharrisse Perawiti), also 18, and Anahera Tienda Kaa, 17, in the crash on Tuesday.
They were going to work at Silver Fern Farms meatworks in Takapau on Tuesday, when their car crashed into a truck on State Highway 2.
Perawiti and Tienda Kaa were from Dannevirke, and Hickey was from nearby Matamau. They had all been to Dannevirke High School, and one was still a student there.
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis, who is based in Dannevirke, said they were a big part of the local youth scene.
"[They were] well known in the community, a lot of connections - sport, whānau, teachers, students. It's really cut through the heart of the community, especially when young people tragically lose their lives."
Tararua Community Youth Service set up a memorial for the victims in their building in Dannevirke's town centre.
Service manager Jeanne O'Brien said they had a space where youth could congregate and remember the young women.
"Young people can come and sit and sing, reflect, write some notes, remembrance notes, and just have nice kai, just to be together. It's really important at these times that young people aren't isolated and can sit and reflect and share on the good things too."
Police are continuing to investigate the crash.
Yesterday, the driver of the truck was reported to be in a stable condition after being airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
