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Police at the scene of a hit-and-run in Christchurch. - Source: ONE News -
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Witnesses have told ONE News the cars involved in a fatal hit and run accident near Christchurch were not racing.
Two vehicles were involved in the crash on the corner of Shands Rd and Marshs Rd, Hornby, at 11pm on Saturday which killed a man in his early 20s.
Three others were injured, including a man in his 20s who was taken to Christchurch Hospital with leg injuries.
Friends of the victim told ONE News they believe reports of the two vehicles racing are incorrect and instead one was overtaking the other.
Harry Silcock, 18, was remanded on bail after he appeared in court today charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
Defence lawyer James Rapley said Silcock had spent last night in custody after he voluntarily gave himself up.
"It's a difficult situation and it's just a matter now of sitting down with the family and helping them through this process which is a difficult process for everyone..for Harry and for the family of the deceased," said Rapley.
The teenager, who was surrounded by family when he appeared in court, was accompanied by his mother when he handed himself in.
Police did not oppose bail but several conditions have been set, including a curfew between 7pm and 6am, a ban on driving and a ban on consuming alcohol at licensed premises.
"They're a very normal family, normal people who are not involved in this sort of situation before or anything like this and it's a matter of helping them through what is a situation that is a terrible tragedy," said Rapley.
The name of the dead man is yet to be released although the family has been informed today his twin brother was with him at the time of the accident.
Friends say they are devestated by the loss.
"A lot of anger .. there's lots of words i could use to describe but .. not nice," said Caleb Blacktopp.
Police are still looking for a Suzuki Swift linked to the accident, which they believe was racing against another car.
Residents worried for months
Residents in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby have been worried for months about the danger of boy racers congregating on their road.
Juanita Wehi said after complaining to police for two months, she went outside last night with a video camera to record and show police what was happening when the crash occurred.
"I heard a racing car and then a great almighty bang, my brother screamed out 'someone has been hit'.''
She called 111 and then saw a boy, in his late teens or early
20s, lying face down on the road.
''I tried to check for any signs of life several times but I
couldn't find a pulse. He wasn't breathing. He was a real
mess.''
"It's a dangerous stretch of road and they do dangerous things,"
she told ONE News.
"They're in groups, they stand on the road, and as sad and tragic
as what's happened tonight is, it's not unexpected."
Wehi said she stayed with the victim until the ambulance arrived but he was showing no signs of life and had no pulse.
"It breaks my heart to see this sort of thing happening and I fear for my children and other people's children who get involved in these situations."
She said something needed to be done to prevent further accidents in the future.
Meanwhile, police are also investigating a second hit and run incident that occurred in Christchurch outside Burger King Moorhouse Avenue at approximately 3.00am on Saturday.
A green four-door sedan struck a pedestrian, then left at speed along Moorhouse Avenue.
The pedestrian, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with multiple serious injuries.
Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident or anyone who has knowledge of this vehicle and its driver.