Teenage victim of crash mourned as 'a future leader'

Jesse Howe had been in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital since the crash. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Friends and family in Rotorua are mourning the loss of "a valuable future leader" with the death of road crash victim Jesse Howe.

The 16-year-old was seriously injured in a car accident when he and 11 other teenagers were returning from a party in Taupo early on July 17.

Jesse had been in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital since the crash, which left 12 injured teenagers strewn across the state highway.

Doctors turned off Jesse's life support on Sunday morning and he died 20 minutes later surrounded by family.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said the death of Jesse was a loss not only to the school but the whole community.

"We have lost a valuable future leader - a good role model.

"He was an extremely popular young man. He was kind and generous, funny and loving. He touched the lives of a lot of people."

Six of the teenagers in the van involved in last month's crash were from John Paul College and Mr Walsh said everyone was devastated by Jesse's death, as were the Howe family.

"The kids are subdued, thoughtful and reflective," he said.

A parent of one of the crash victims, who did not want to be identified, said the group were all in shock over losing their friend.

"They are all gutted ... they are just holding each other up right now," he said. "It's such a sad waste of a life. Our kids should be burying us, not us burying one of them."

Aaron Gourlay, the only crash victim still in hospital, is reported to be in a stable condition.

- APN