18-year-old Maddy Aitken killed in Tauranga Harbour car crash
An 18-year-old woman died after a car plunged into Tauranga Harbour near a shopping centre early Friday morning.
What happened
Maddison Kalea Muriwai Aitken, known as Maddy, died after a vehicle entered the water near Bay Central Shopping Centre in Tauranga at 12.40am on Friday. The male driver was taken to hospital after reaching the shore, but Maddy did not resurface. Police initially were unsure if anyone else was in the car, but further enquiries determined she was still in the vehicle. Her family organised their own divers to recover her body, which was found shortly after 8am. A funeral notice described her as a deeply loved daughter, cherished sister and partner, whose "bright light" and "beautiful spirit" would never be forgotten.
Key facts
- Maddison Kalea Muriwai Aitken, known as Maddy, 18 years old
- Vehicle entered Tauranga Harbour near Bay Central Shopping Centre at 12.40am Friday
- Male driver hospitalised; Maddy did not resurface
- Family-organised divers recovered her body shortly after 8am
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
Stuff
‘A beautiful young life taken far too soon’: Teen killed in harbour crash named
Maddy’s family remembered her as a “bright light” whose “beautiful spirit” and love would never be forgotten.
RNZ
Family mourns 'bright light' as harbour plunge victim named
Maddison Kalea Muriwai Aitken, known as Maddy, died after the vehicle she was in went into Tauranga Harbour early Friday morning.