Tributes flow on internet for 'incredible' girl

Rhya Macready died when her car collided head-on with an emergency services vehicle on Sunday in heavy rain. Photo / Supplied

Friends of a young woman killed in an accident at the weekend have paid tribute to an "incredible" girl.

Rhya Macready, 18, died when the car she was driving clipped the rear of an ambulance before colliding head-on with another paramedic vehicle on State Highway 41, near Taumarunui, about 4.30pm on Sunday.

The ambulance had been called to an earlier crash and had been transporting two elderly patients to hospital when the accident occurred.

They suffered no further injuries.

Yesterday, many of Ms Macready's friends descended on social networking site Facebook to pay tribute to her, and also to support one another.

Close friend Teresa Boyle, who called Ms Macready her sister, said: "Rhya my angel, you fly higher than anyone else out there, I know you will. You were always destined to be the best. I love you sweetheart, more than you could ever imagine and I'm sorry I never told you enough. I love you baby girl R.I.P."

Another mate, Shevelle May, described her as simply incredible.

"Rhya Macready. What can I say to describe the kind of person you are? There doesn't seem to be any words that fit. You are ... just incredible.

"All my thoughts go out to your family. Tess, Kayla, and Jack ... May we always feel your smile upon us."

Ms Macready was a student at Kapiti College and was known for her acting skills and love for drama.

Last year she competed in the school's variety concert and was also a member of the winning team that competed at the local Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition.

Meanwhile, her 48-year-old male passenger, understood to be her father, was in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital last night. He suffered serious head and chest injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital.

A 50-year-old female ambulance officer driving the paramedic vehicle was also seriously injured and was taken to Waikato Hospital by
road.

St John yesterday confirmed that she was now in a stable condition.

Acting Senior Sergeant Dowie of the Taumarunui police said the cause of the crash was being investigated but it appeared Ms Macready's car clipped the ambulance and then collided with the other vehicle during heavy rain.