Head girl’s sudden death stuns town

‘She was always happy – life was good for her.’

A CENTRAL OTAGO community is in shock after the death of one of its high-achieving head students.

Rachel Clark, 17, was discovered dead by a work colleague at her Cromwell home early on Saturday evening after she failed to turn up for work.

Clark, who worked part-time at the Golden Gate Lodge, was described by her employer Glen Christiansen as a ‘‘magical girl’’ whose spirit was infectious.

‘‘She was always happy – was good for her.’’

Clark was Cromwell College’s head girl and had recently been awarded a Central Lakes Trust scholarship to go towards studies

life at the Auckland University of Technology where she planned to study psychology and communications.

She was highly academic, receiving multiple school awards, including a Class Act Award from Prime Minister John Key in Dunedin in August.

In a school newsletter she is described as a ‘‘true all-rounder’’.

‘‘She is a respected head girl, our board of trustees student representative, is completing her gold Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award and has gained excellence endorsements in level 1 and 2 NCEA.

‘‘Rachel has provided service through coaching hockey and assisting with our school production. Rachel is also a talented

Glen Christiansen, employer sportswoman playing hockey for college and club teams, senior A netball and has rowed at Maadi Cup.’’

She also received the principal’s and Kilwinning Masonic Award for contribution made by head students and the Cromwell Rotary Club Award for responsibility and leadership at this year’s school prizegiving.

St John Ambulance spokesman Ian Henderson said emerg- ency services were alerted to the address at 5.25pm on Saturday.

‘‘It seems to have been a medical event and she was unfortunately deceased at the scene.’’

Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said police were notified of her sudden death about 5.30pm.

Police conducted a scene examination and secured the address until a post-mortem was completed.

‘‘Following the scene examination and results from the postmortem, it has been established that there are no suspicious circumstances with regards to this death.’’

The matter has been referred to the coroner.