Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed her sympathy to the family of a student who died at a house party in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Ardern said the death of Sophia Crestani was an "extraordinary tragedy" and her thoughts were with the family and friends of the victim.
"First and foremost, what we need is clarity around what exactly has occurred, and I know the university will be as interested in that as we are," Ardern said.
"But for now, now is the time for those condolences and thoughts to be sent to the family of the young woman affected."
The flat where a second-year student died on Saturday night was blessed this morning, and residents have decided to relocate, the vice-chancellor of the university says.
The student who died at the Dundas St flat over the weekend was second-year student Sophia Crestani, of Wellington, University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne has confirmed.
University to focus on looking after students
Prof Hayne addressed media at a press conference this afternoon, along with OUSA president James Heath, saying the university's focus was on looking after its students. Numerous students had sought help from the university's health services, chaplains, colleges, and from each other, Prof Hayne said.
Residents of "The Manor" where the party was held had decided to shift out and the university was helping them find alternative accommodation.
Sophia was a second-year student at the university where she was studying mathematics and statistics.
"Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Sophia, the student who was tragically killed," she said .
"I met with her parents earlier today, they are simply remarkable people. In the midst of their own grief I admire their courage and their generosity in helping us to look out for the students who are most severely affected by this tragedy."
A blessing held at the house this morning was part of the family's personal grieving process, and Prof Hayne asked media not to disturb family members who were "in the deep throes of grief".
Police said yesterday it was too early to call the death an accident, or to say if charges might be laid. A partygoer present at the time said he understood the student may have been "trampled" by people falling down a staircase.
Police confirmed it has finished their scene examination at the property, and have spoken to a number of students who were present.
Prof Hayne described the death as a "tragic accident".
"We’re still keen for anyone who was there who has information that may help Police form a detailed timeline of what happened, to get in touch with us."
A 'resilient student community'
The university had already started to make preparations for special dispensations for students affected when exams began next week, which would be as inclusive as possible.
She had not spoken to the two other injured students, but said the head of their residential college had told her they were fine. She understood the pair were first-year students and had leg-related injuries.
"I'd also acknowledge the incredible resilience of the student community."
Mr Heath asked media to show respect and space for flatmates, friends and family involved.
It was also too early to say what would happen going forward when asked whether Campus Watch would hold extra patrols.
Prof Hayne said university had engaged in a long-term lease of the flat, beginning at the start of 2020. She could not comment on whether it would become part of UniFlats, but said there were a number of flats in North Dunedin which the university leased to provide accommodation.
Prof Hayne told media she was not sure whether Campus Watch was aware of the size of the party before they arrived prior to the accident. Police have said between 500 and 600 people were present when they arrived.
If people wanted to support Sophia's family they could contact OUSA or the vice-chancellor's office.
Witnesses say Sophia - who has an identical twin sister - may have been trampled after she and others fell down stairs at the house.
Sophia was finishing her second year of study at the University of Otago, with final lectures for 2019 wrapping up this week.
The residence at which she died was being held at a renowned party house on Dundas St referred to as "the Manor", which had just been sold after being student accommodation for years.
Hundreds of students attended the party on Saturday night, in which dozens of students were crushed after a crowd was pushed and collapsed on top of each other down the staircase.
People could be seen moving around the flat at midday, and several large black rubbish bags were sitting on the front steps.
A neighbour said he believed the tenants were moving out.
'Shock' after tragic death of Sophia Crestani
Sophia had attended Wellington Presbyterian girls school Queen Margaret College, before moving to Dunedin for university.
The 19-year-old had an interest in fashion while at Queen Margaret, having had a dress she designed displayed at the National War Memorial in 2017 for the World of WearableArt event.
She went to Salmond College residential hall last year before going flatting this year.
Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull said he was "shocked and saddened" by the tragic death of the young woman at the party.
“My deepest condolences go out to the young woman’s family and others affected by this tragedy."
The master Knox College, which has close links to Salmond, Dr Graham Redding commented on the "tragic" death on social media this morning.
"The student community is in shock following her death, including quite a number of current Knox residents who were at the flat at the time of the tragedy.
"Yesterday we held a time of prayer in the chapel, and we have tried to meet with every Knox student who we know to have been at the flat party to assess the level of pastoral care needed and to respond accordingly."
While back home in Wellington, outside of university classes in Dunedin, Sophia worked casually as a recreation assistant at the ASB Sports Centre.
Queen Margaret College principal Jayne-Ann Young would not name the student but acknowledged she was a former pupil and offered her condolences and prayers to her family and friends.
"We naturally are deeply saddened to hear this terrible news about a former student," Young said.
"Our head of senior school and a chaplain from the college are heading to Dunedin to support previous students and the school is open for any past or present students if they wish to meet here."
Sophia also had a profile on the ICAN models, actors and extras agency.
Meanwhile, the University of Otago says it will consider wider concerns when it comes to student behaviour in the city following the death.
Police are still trying to piece together exactly what happened at the party.
The university's comments came in response to questions about whether the university thought it was time to think about ways to control the size and scale of parties; whether the party should have been shut down much earlier; and whether Dunedin's tertiary institutions should take more responsibility for the high number of students going through the hospital emergency department and clogging up Fire and Emergency NZ and police resources.
University director of communications Megan McPherson said the university's priority was to support students affected by the "tragic" event.
"As you can imagine, many people are grieving today and we are supporting the student's family and friends.
"There is a police investigation under way and we are co-operating fully."
She said the questions raised by the Otago Daily Times may be addressed by the investigation.
"When the investigation is complete, we will consider wider concerns that may be raised by this event."
Otago Coastal Area commander Inspector Marty Gray told media at a press conference yesterday Campus Watch contacted police five minutes before midnight on Saturday to report disorderly behaviour.
That call was followed by one from partygoers, asking for help to halt the event.
When police arrived, the young woman, a student at the university, was carried out of the house by people at the address.
Police and others tried to revive her before St John arrived.
"When our officers arrived there was ... about 500 or 600 partygoers, a lot of them anxious, a lot of them trying to get out of the premises, a lot of them trying to get in the premises, a lot of disorganisation, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of anxiety," he said.
"The victim was carried out of the house by other people and resuscitation attempts were made at that time."
Two other people at the party were injured.
Partygoers' efforts to help the woman were "fantastic" and police did not meet any resistance at the scene, Gray said.
He told media it was too early to call the death an accident, and also too early to speculate whether charges would be laid.
'She fell, and... the panic happened'
A student who attended the party told the Herald people fell down the flat's stairs and landed on top of the woman, who suffered fatal injuries.
"She may have been trampled," the student said.
"I went outside and saw her lying on the ground being given CPR."
Another partygoer told the Otago Daily Times the house was "seriously crowded", and there were people "slipping and falling" on the stairwell.
"She fell, and that's when the panic happened.
"The tears started flooding from everyone else."
There were initial reports the stairwell of the house had collapsed, but Gray told media the house did not appear to have any structural issues.
Gray was unable to release any details of the young woman's identity, but said her family lived outside Dunedin and had been informed of her death.
The police's priority was providing support to her friends and family, the occupants of the flat and the wider community. Police were also asking anyone at the party - or anyone with information about the incident who had not yet spoken to them - to come forward.
"It's not a time to sort of point fingers or to indicate that anything sinister went on. It's for us to ... rally round this community who are hurting and for a very good reason," he said.
He encouraged students affected by her death to seek support through police, victim support and other agencies.
Vice-chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the university would work with police as they continued to investigate the incident.
"We are deeply saddened by what occurred last night. We are supporting the family of the student who died," she said.
"Our staff are working with them today, and will continue to do so, at this very difficult time."
The Otago University Students' Association said in a statement it offered condolences to the family and those affected.
The university has confirmed it has plans to lease the flat from the owners in 2020, and attempts have been made to contact the landlords of the property.
With NZ Herald
