KEY POINTS:
A 22-year-old saleswoman appeared in Whakatane District Court this morning charged over the hit-and-run that left a 15-year-old schoolgirl dead and two others injured.
Karma Jasmine McIvor made no plea to four charges alleging causing death and injury while drink driving, and failing to stop at the scene.
She was remanded on bail until next month.
School friends of the dead girl quickly learnt of the tragedy as text messages spread through the local community.
Three 15-year-old girls were walking along Mair Street at Matata, near Whakatane, about 11.30pm when they were hit by a car.
One of the girls died at the scene and a woman was later arrested.
A second girl was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital with leg and head injuries and a third girl was taken to Whakatane hospital with minor injuries.
The three students attended Edgecumbe College where a special assembly was called this morning.
Principal Gavin Greenfield said he received a call at 5am from police and, with texting, most students knew the sad news before school started this morning.
He said the school's Kaumatua addressed the quiet assembly of 400 pupils this morning.
"We know all our pupils - it's that sized school," Mr Greenfield said.
Counsellors have been called in to the small school that Mr Greenfield describes as supportive and whanau-orientated.
Police said they arrested a 22-year-old Bay of Plenty woman after tracing her to her home shortly after the incident.
Sergeant George Fenwick of Whakatane police said the woman would appear in Whakatane District Court today facing facing four charges including driving with excess breath alcohol causing death and injury and failing to stop to ascertain injury.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB and EDWARD GAY
