The death of a 14-year-old Oamaru girl killed in a hit-and-run incident last night has had a "traumatic effect" on those who knew and loved her.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Booth said the incident happened around 10.40pm on Severn St. After hitting the girl, the driver of the vehicle failed to stop.
She was a year 10 student at St Kevin's College.
"It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the death last night of one of our year 10 female students," principal Paul Olsen said.
"As expected, this has and will continue to have a traumatic effect on our school and particularly on the students who knew and loved her."
The school held a liturgy in the chapel this morning to help students work through the loss, Olsen said.
Support systems and counselling were in place, and the chapel had been opened up as a safe space for students to meet and grieve.
Community mental health organisations, other schools and relevant agencies were supporting the college community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time," Olsen said.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said while he did not know the girl personally, the incident was a "shock" for the town and that the community would rally around the victim's family.
"Obviously our thoughts go out to the family.
"There's a lot of sadness around the community for them and the victim.
"No one would wish this on anyone.
"We're thinking of them and, as a community, we will make sure we give them any support that we can," he told the Otago Daily Times.
The crash occurred in a 50km/h area, and he had heard suggestions the vehicle was travelling above the speed limit.
"It is a popular area during the day, with the Public Gardens on one side, and the skatepark on the other, and the road is also a popular link for cars heading into town or heading south.
"At that time of the night you would expect traffic to be light, though."
Transport Operations Centre spokeswoman Janine Porter said the road was closed to southbound traffic near the intersection of Cross St.
Road users heading southbound could take a detour down Thames St and then right onto Itchen St. Northbound traffic was advised to take extra care.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Booth said police wanted to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw a dark-coloured older sedan travelling at speed.
* If you have information or were in the area at the time of the incident, call Oamaru Police on 03 433 1400 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Staff reporter, Otago Daily Times
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