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Christchurch birthday party turns into a war zone [New Zealand]
The Press - Christchurch (via Brisbane Times) ^ | May 7, 2007

Posted on 05/06/2007 9:05:50 PM PDT by NZerFromHK

The lives of two talented and popular Christchurch teenage girls have been brutally ended after an out-of-control St Albans party on Saturday night came to a horrific end.

Jane Ada Young, 16, and Hannah Perkins Rossiter, also 16, were killed and eight others injured when a red Honda Integra car ploughed through a crowd of partygoers spilling on to Edgeware Road about 10.45pm. Two young people hit by the car were still fighting for their lives in Christchurch Hospital last night.

Police have charged a 22-year-old factory worker with the murder of the two teenagers. The driver was believed to have been involved in a second crash in Westminster Street, Merivale.

He will appear in the Christchurch District Court today.

Police said he was likely to face further charges relating to the injuries suffered by others.

Police had found the driver about four hours after the incident. They would not comment on whether he was intoxicated.

Witnesses and neighbours have criticised the police for not shutting down the party earlier.

The event had attracted as many as 500.

However, Northern Area Commander Inspector Andy McGregor said police had acted appropriately.

Both principals of the schools attended by the girls described the deaths as a terrible tragedy.

St Margaret's College principal Claudia Wysocki said Hannah was a delightful student and a special part of the school.

"She was a beautiful, outgoing, really good girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Hannah loved the arts, was a good artist and dancer, and had enjoyed dragonboating, volleyball and water polo.

"She was a good student and she was always a bubbly personality. She was a very happy, gorgeous 16-year-old who we watched grow up for the last six years. She was a very special part of our school."

A crisis emergency plan had been implemented to help grieving students and staff.

"We are a school community as well as a family. We know our girls, so we not only have to support our staff but our boarders – some of our boarders were really close to Hannah."

Hannah, an only daughter, had an incredibly supportive family whom the school knew well, Wysocki said.

Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti co-director Vince Dobbs said the school was devastated by Jane's death.

"It's an absolute tragedy. I have spoken to her family today and obviously they are struggling with the news."

Jane was an energetic, highly motivated, outgoing, positive woman, he said.

"She had a huge number of friends – she was incredibly popular. She's got rich and varied interests. She was a talented musician – she played the flute – was into horses and was keen to share those skills with others. She wanted to help the younger students."

Despite being Year 12, Jane was completing a Year 13 programme as well as studying a university philosophy paper.

"She had a strong vision of what she wanted in her life. She was interested in doing law or journalism. She was one of those people who took every opportunity ... she had a real energy."

The school had opened its doors yesterday for students wanting to talk, he said.

Auckland psychologist Sara Chatwin said parents of teenagers involved with, or with links to the party should keep close tabs on their children.

"Watch your kids. Talk to them, don't alienate them, keep them close to you."

Symptoms of distress varied, but Chatwin said withdrawal and uncharacteristic behaviour were two common signs.

McGregor said police had been first called to the party, a 20th birthday that had been gatecrashed, at 8.30pm on Saturday.

"We spoke to the occupants of the address – established there was about 300 people inside the address.

"There didn't seem to be any disorder on the street."

Police returned to the address about 10.30pm and were bombarded with bottles and rocks, forcing police to retreat to await reinforcements, bolstering their team from eight to 20, and don riot gear, McGregor said.

"(The police) went through to clear the street. At the time they were moving forward they realised people were injured, including the two deceased.

"It was like a war-zone, pandemonium with people injured and screaming."

Police were still being attacked with bottles as they tried to help the injured.

Police want anyone who attended the party or witnessed the red Honda Integra driving from the two crash scenes to contact them on 363 7620.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christchurch; hitandrun; newzealand
Christchurch is a big bastion of English culture in New Zealand. Despite its concentration of upper class pretensions of Heavenly Creatures fame, there is also a very entrenched go-gooder leftism in the way many of its streets are out of control unsafe zones after dark.

St Albans is a lower-middle suburb popular with university students and from what I heard since moving here from Auckland last year, have a very high burgulary rate. Not surprising a party will develop into mayhem like this.

1 posted on 05/06/2007 9:05:51 PM PDT by NZerFromHK
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To: NZerFromHK

Has New Zealand moved yet to ban bottles and rocks? They should you know, after all, if bottles and rocks are banned, everyone will be safe.


2 posted on 05/06/2007 9:12:28 PM PDT by Rembrandt (We would have won Viet Nam w/o Dim interference.)
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To: Rembrandt

Believe it or not, they are seriously considering them. Open bottles are virtually banned in all the cities and towns’ centres on weekend nights according to most councils’ bylaws.

I guess test messaging will be next because it is the means the gatecrashers get the message of the party going on.


3 posted on 05/06/2007 9:16:20 PM PDT by NZerFromHK (The US Founding is what makes Britain and USA separated by much more than a common language.)
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To: NZerFromHK

Wonder why they did not mention the drivers name, just his age.


4 posted on 05/06/2007 9:36:29 PM PDT by Dustbunny (The BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
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To: Dustbunny

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/new-zealand-hitandrun-driver-in-court/2007/05/07/1178390183898.html

“Lipine Sila made a brief appearance in Christchurch District Court this morning charged with murdering Miss Young and Miss Rossiter.”


5 posted on 05/06/2007 9:43:46 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: Dustbunny

It is because when this newsstory was out the man hasn’t yet appeared in the court yet and by NZ law his name couldn’t be disclosed.

The man’s name has since been disclosed. Appears to be Maori:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/4051160a6009.html

Murder accused appears in court

By JO MCKENZIE-MCLEAN - The Press | Monday, 7 May 2007

AdvertisementUPDATED REPORT: The man accused of murdering two teenage partygoers in Christchurch on Saturday night has been remanded in custody after entering no plea at his first appearance in court today.

Lipine Sila, 22, has been remanded in custody until May 14.

Sila, a factory worker, stood unemotionally with his hands clasped together. He did not seek name suppression.

Jane Ada Young, 16, and Hannah Perkins Rossiter, also 16, were killed and eight others injured when a red Honda Integra car ploughed through a crowd of partygoers spilling on to Edgeware Road about 10.45pm on Saturday.

Two young people hit by the car were still fighting for their lives in Christchurch Hospital.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Harvey of Christchurch police said two people remained in intensive care in a critically ill condition and three were in a stable, but serious, condition.

Five people hurt in the incident have been discharged from hospital.


6 posted on 05/06/2007 9:45:56 PM PDT by NZerFromHK (The US Founding is what makes Britain and USA separated by much more than a common language.)
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To: sageb1
Thanks.

Praying for the families and those injured.

Wonder if he was drunk, fell asleep at the wheel or is just a nut.

7 posted on 05/06/2007 9:49:34 PM PDT by Dustbunny (The BIBLE - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
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To: Dustbunny
Wonder if he was drunk, fell asleep at the wheel or is just a nut.

Or panicked when folks started throwing rocks and bottles.

8 posted on 05/06/2007 10:06:06 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: PAR35

Never bring rocks and bottles to a car fight...


9 posted on 05/06/2007 10:17:14 PM PDT by MrEdd (Dogs think they're human, Cats think they're Gods.)
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To: NZerFromHK

sounds like he’s a poly ;-)

pretty bloody aweful thing to happen..
its happened before though. Young people in NZ don’t know how to have fun. Like seriously, going to a party where you get robbed, involved in a deadly riot, drinks spiked, alcohol/drug overdoses etc


10 posted on 05/06/2007 10:43:29 PM PDT by rogernz
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To: NZerFromHK

Gee, how can this happen in such a nice country with no nukes or guns allowed?

I thought NZ was such a nice peaceful country.


11 posted on 05/06/2007 10:48:23 PM PDT by garyhope (It's World War IV, right here, right now courtesy of Islam.)
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To: Dustbunny
Wonder if he was drunk, fell asleep at the wheel or is just a nut.

He was charged with murder, so for sure it is not #2. That charge surprises me. Could he deliberately have run them down? Or maybe 'murder' has a very different meaning in NZ than in the USA and Canada.

12 posted on 05/07/2007 12:14:35 AM PDT by Northern Alliance
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To: Northern Alliance

It is reported he had an altercation with someone else at the party earlier and returned in a vengeful mood. It was deliberate, therefore murder.


13 posted on 05/07/2007 12:43:11 AM PDT by gungadin
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To: garyhope

It appears teenagers are much the same, whether in the US or in NZ.

And no nukes, but plenty of guns- rifles permitted after the usual background check etc, as in many US states.


14 posted on 05/07/2007 12:50:02 AM PDT by gungadin
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