Dunedin house party victim Sophia Crestani remembered as 'cheerful, positive' young woman

The young woman who died at an out of control house party over the weekend is being remembered as "cheerful, positive" and hardworking. 

Sophia Crestani is understood to have died after a staircase at a Dunedin house party collapsed on Saturday night. 

The 19-year-old attended Queen Margaret College in Wellington before moving to down south for university.

In 2017, a dress she made was displayed in the National War Memorial. The dress was inspired by the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.

Queen Margaret College principal Jayne-Ann Young told Newshub the community is "deeply saddened" by the news.

"Sophia touched many lives during her time here. Sophia was a cheerful, positive and personable young woman and it was always thrilling to see her creative and technical flair ignited inside the Materials Technology classroom."

Young said Sophia's teachers described her as "friendly, enthusiastic and conscientious".

She said the school is focused on providing care and support for the members of the community who are affected. 

"Our Head of Senior School and Chaplain are both on their way to Dunedin to support our previous students.

"We have a dedicated area at the College where all past and present students, staff and members of our Queen Margaret College family are welcome to meet to offer their support and celebrate Sophia's memory together," Young said. 

"Our condolences, prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends today."

Dunedin students are being urged to seek support in the wake of her death.

James Heath, president of Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) says the death has affected the community.

"It's obviously a deeply shocking situation for our student community," says Heath. "Any students needing support today, we encourage them to reach out to Campus Watch and going forward reaching out to and OUSA Student Support, Student Health."

Police were called to the property around midnight on Saturday, with reports of around 600 people present at the time.

When officers arrived on the scene, many partygoers were already in the process of leaving, but some were injured in the crush.

Two people also sustained injuries at the event.

Police are investigating the incident and ask any attendees to get in touch. 

Newshub.