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A high school coping with the loss of three of its most popular students in a car crash says the girls were "stars of the school" who did not fit the stereotype of irresponsible teenagers and cars.
Lincoln High School students were already struggling with the news over the weekend that 15-year-olds Melissa Norton and Emma Reynolds had died. Late yesterday morning, fellow pupils were told that Chloe Cockerell, 15, had also died of her injuries.
A fourth student in the crash is recovering from minor injuries after being discharged from hospital.
Lincoln High principal Linda Tame said the third blow on top of the initial deaths seemed "terribly unfair".
"But I'm really proud of the students and the way they are actually supporting each other, and being gentle on staff who are also really upset," Ms Tame said.
The four friends were travelling by car from Lincoln, about 10km from Christchurch, to the village of Springston about 8pm on Saturday when the driver lost control and the vehicle hit a power pole.
They had just bused from Christchurch after a dessert to celebrate a friend's birthday and were planning a sleepover together in Springston.
When a parent did not arrive to pick them up, they made a snap decision to go by car themselves.
Melissa, a backseat passenger, died instantly in the crash, and the driver, Emma, later in hospital. Chloe died yesterday morning.
The cause of the crash is still to be determined, but Senior Sergeant Stewart Munro said it was not as simple as blaming the driver's age. "At this stage of the investigation we can say that alcohol was not a factor. From initial scene examination it appears that excessive speed was also not a factor.
"Just because a driver is 15 doesn't mean they are bad drivers. There are bad drivers right across the ages."
Ms Tame said the girls were all popular, bright, vivacious teenagers, with a large group of friends.
"They were stars of the school. None of us can believe this terrible accident has happened, because they are just the last sort of people you would think would have had this type of thing happen to them.
"It was just completely innocent - no alcohol, none of those things."
Four guidance counsellors provided support yesterday for upset students to take time out.
"We have postponed some NCEA assessments, but classes are running and teachers are reporting that they are getting through a bit of work, but not a lot."
The sole survivor of the crash was coping, but "it is going to be very tough for her", Ms Tame said.
"All schools pull together in circumstances like this. Tragedies bring out the best in people. We've had so many offers of help, we've had people bringing in food for students, we've had people offering to go and clean the homes of families that might need to have things done."
