Crash victim's Te Awamutu College friends left 'reeling' from her death

Guidance counsellors have been arranged for students and staff at Te Awamutu College after one of their students was killed in a double fatal crash on Wednesday morning.

School friends of a teenager killed in a double fatal crash near Otorohanga have been left "reeling" from her death.

The teen died in the head-on crash on State Highway 3 about 8am on Wednesday morning as she drove north to school.

Her car was hit by a car being driven by a 66-year-old Australian woman who had just landed in the country from Melbourne Airport about 7 hours prior to the crash.

A man following north behind the teenager suffered minor injuries after his vehicle was spun on impact.

The teenager who died was a student at Te Awamutu College.

Principal Tony Membery said everyone at the school was devastated.

"There's a whole raft of emotions. This is raw, we're reeling.

"She's done well here ... it should have been her final year at school."

Her close friends and teachers had been told of her death on Wednesday, so that they didn't hear the news through social media.

Her death had taken its toll on the students, he said.

Guidance counsellors were being made available for those at the school.

"We know this is going to impact on people who knew her, beyond question. It's sudden, it's tragic.

"The kids were quiet and sombre."

She also worked part-time at Domino's in Te Awamutu.

A spokesperson for the company said they were "deeply saddened to hear of the death of one of our much loved team members [on Wednesday]."

"Her positive outlook and friendly personality will be missed.

"We would like to take this moment to express our sincere condolences to our team member's family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."