A 19-year-old Alexandra man killed in a car crash on Thursday night has been remembered as a polite, respectful, friendly young man with tremendous potential.
Ravineel Avikash Sharma was the front-seat passenger in a Nissan car that crashed into a tree in Coates Rd, near Alexandra Airport, just before midnight on Thursday.
Police said Mr Sharma and the driver, a 19-year-old Ranfurly man, were initially trapped and the third man, the rear passenger, another 19-year-old from Alexandra, escaped with minor injuries and raised the alarm.
Mr Sharma died at the scene. The Ranfurly man was flown by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital with critical injuries and remains in a serious condition in the intensive care unit, while the rear-seat passenger is recovering at home.
Mr Sharma attended Dunstan High School from 2012-15 until almost the end of his year 12.
Assistant principal Alan Hamilton said the school, particularly the senior school, was numb and reeling. Staff had monitored and supported affected pupils all day.
Mr Hamilton said Mr Sharma had been a quiet, friendly and courteous pupil.
He had enjoyed doing the plumbing pathway through the Gateway programme in year 12, and was keen to pursue an apprenticeship.
He had recently returned home from Queenstown to take up a plumbing apprenticeship in Cromwell, Andrea Krsinic, on behalf of the family, said.
Mrs Krsinic said Mr Sharma "loved his job" and was "a beautiful, fun-loving young man taken from us too soon".
"His love of the outdoors recently led him to taking up snowboarding and he was looking so forward to catching up with his Queenstown mates this weekend."
While at school, Ravineel was a keen soccer player and reached green belt in karate.
"Ravineel would have a go at anything, as long as he was with mates — fishing, hiking, cricket, to name a few.
"A real family man, Ravineel had extremely strong ties with his loving family, and a very unique relationship with his brother Prashneel.
"He was not only his younger brother, but also his very close friend," Mrs Krsinic said.
A police spokesman said the investigation into the crash was continuing, but speed and alcohol were believed to be "significant factors".
"This was a completely preventable crash, which has claimed the life of a young man," Central Otago sub-area supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said.
"We have a local family grieving the loss of their son and brother, and our community feeling the loss of one of our local boys from a well-known family.
"The safety messages in our communities are very clear about the risks when alcohol, speed and young drivers are combined. "
We can only hope that this tragedy helps reinforce the message about the need to keep ourselves, our friends and our whanau safe."
• Alexandra police (03) 440-2500.
