Waihi teen killed in crash mourned

Family and friends of the Waihi teenager who died in a car crash at the weekend are devastated at the loss of the “beautiful, fun loving, vivacious, lovely girl”.

Emilie Kirsten Silberer died when the car she was driving and another car collided head-on in the 90km section of State Highway 2 near Maramarua on Saturday afternoon.

Emilie Silberer was described as a “bubbly, effervescent, young lady”.

The 17-year-old was on her way home to Waihi after playing soccer in Thames and visiting Auckland when the crash happened at about 4pm.

She died at the scene.

Her boyfriend, Michael Death from Paeroa, was in the front passenger seat at the time of the crash and suffered minor injuries. He was taken to Thames Hospital.

Emilie’s mother Sandy Silberer says Emilie was a "beautiful, fun loving, vivacious, lovely girl".

She enjoyed coaching Year 7 and 8 football, was a lifeguard at Waihi Beach and worked part-time at a local supermarket, she says.

"She was a vibrant, happy and smiling girl, she was always smiling.”

Emilie leaves behind a 12-year-old sister and two brothers, 16 and 19, who are “devastated”.

Sandy is bringing her daughter home today before her funeral service at Emilie’s school Waihi College at 12pm on Friday.

The funeral is expected to be so big that the school will close for the day.

Waihi College Principal Alistair Cochrane says the students are dealing with Emilie’s death as well as can be expected but there is a huge amount of emotion at the school.

“It’s a different place here, it’s pretty emotional.”

Alistair says Emilie was a “bubbly, effervescent young lady”.

“She had a very strong personality and often spoke openly about her feelings. We saw her grow into a really outstanding lady.”

He says Emilie was a popular student with plenty of friends and expects the “the hall will be full” on Friday.