Best mates killed within two weeks

Harmony Wihongi (L) and Renee McNelis were best friends at Buller High School. Photo / Supplied

The families and friends of two teenage best friends killed two weeks apart are shattered by their deaths.

Renee McNelis, of Westport, was killed on Monday when she became pinned under the quad bike she had been driving.

The 17-year-old was working on a Landcorp farm at Cape Foulwind - southwest of Westport - when the accident happened. Workers said she had gone out to spread fertiliser, at around 11am, before they noticed that she had not been seen for several hours.

She was found pinned beneath the bike, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her best friend, 16-year-old Harmony Wihongi, died on Labour weekend when the car she was in lost control and crashed on State Highway 67.

The best friends were students at Buller High School in Westport.

One of the girls' friends yesterday said she was too upset to speak at this time, but her mother said the death of yet another young person from the town was heartbreaking for not only the families involved but the close-knit community.

"We're all pretty shattered. It's only been a fortnight [since Harmony died], hasn't it? And then this happens."

The woman said her daughter and her friends were only just coping with Harmony's death and were now rallying again as a result of Renee's sudden death.

A photo of the pair appears on a tribute Facebook page friends had set up for Harmony.

Friend Renee Jones commented: "It's so sad for both of you to be gone. RIP girls ... love ya heaps."

Renee's aunt Emma Hart also paid tribute to the youngster on the social networking site, saying: "To my darling niece Renee. These tears I cry are for you, the stories we share are about you, the memories we have are what we have left of you ... RIP my lil nugs. Until we meet again"

Westport Landcorp farm manager Paul Hateley said it was "the end of the world" when something like this happened.

"She was a good young person and a good worker. We're all pretty sad about what's happened."

Mr Hateley said the teenager had worked at the farm since early in the season last year, and that staff were being counselled following the incident. Landcorp had good safety policies and good training in place, and he would await the coroner's report to find out exactly how the accident happened.

Landcorp chief executive Chris Kelly said the company had met Renee's family on Monday night.

"I'm terribly sad and shocked for the family and staff at this time. She's been with us for six months but she was already part of the team and well liked."

Mr Kelly said Renee had already taken work-safe theory and practical training components, but was waiting to be assessed.

Meanwhile, Buller High School principal Sheila Grainger yesterday said counselling services were being offered to students who knew the two girls.

It was the second farm bike accident in as many days involving a young person.

- additional reporting NZPA