'Bright light': 18-year-old remembered after Tauranga Harbour crash

A teenager who died after her car crashed into Tauranga Harbour has been remembered for her “bright light” and “beautiful spirit”.

Emergency services were called about 12.40am on Friday after reports that a car had entered the water off Chapel St into the Waikareao Estuary.

One person died, while another was taken to Tauranga Hospital in moderate condition.

Tributes have since poured in for 18-year-old Maddison Aitken, also known as Maddy.

One tribute described Aitken as a “deeply loved and adored”, daughter, sister, partner and friend.

“A beautiful young life taken far too soon, leaving behind a lifetime of love, precious memories, and hearts that will never be quite the same,” the tribute read.

“Maddy’s bright light, beautiful spirit, and the love she brought into the lives of those around her will never be forgotten.”

Senior Sergeant Roger Schreuder said on Friday divers organised by the family recovered the woman’s body at about 8am.

The Police Dive Squad was expected to arrive that afternoon, he said.

Chapel St remained closed until about 5pm while police recovered the car and carried out scene and forensic examinations.

Stuff reported a woman standing in a group near the water could be heard repeatedly wailing, “No, no, no”.

Chapel Cafe staff member Steve Singh said he saw police speaking with people who appeared to be family members.

“They were looking upset” as they spoke with officers behind a building.

Heathcote’s Tauranga store manager Brian Stewart believed this was about the third time a vehicle had gone into the water from Chapel St in the past six years.

Last year, a man on a mobility scooter went into the water and was injured.

In December 2021, Maree Geary died after the car she was in plunged into the water. That was just weeks after another car went into the harbour.