Driver quizzed over woman's death

Mandy Ward. Photo / Supplied

Police have quizzed a teenage driver after a woman was killed as she walked home from a party.

Mandy Ward, 27, was hit by a vehicle as she was walking along Forest Drive in Methven, 100km southwest of Christchurch, at 11.45pm on Friday.

She was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital but died of her injuries overnight.

Ward's grandfather Jack Hannam broke down in tears last night as he paid tribute to his grandaughter. Hannam said the police called on her mother in Whitianga around 3.30am to tell her Mandy had been in an accident.

"While they were there the police from Methven called and said she hadn't made it," he said. Ward grew up in Auckland and went to school in Helensville and Wellsford. She left school at 16 and went to work on a dairy farm.

"She did milking. She loved farming," Hannam said.

Ward also loved horses and owned three which she regularly rode in show events.

"She was magic, a really lovely girl. She was into everything, she thoroughly enjoyed life."

Ryan Inch, 17, who was driving the car, has been interviewed by police.

Methven residents said Inch was well known for "lapping", driving up and down the main streets of the town, in his 4WD. However they said he was no boy racer. Local police could not be reached for comment.