Year 12 student Hazel Kirkbride should have been sitting her half-yearly exams at Westport High School in Port Macquarie this week, before the start of Easter school holidays.
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Instead, the 17-year-old's devastated classmates will gather at their school on Wednesday morning to remember and pay tribute to the "beautiful, generous girl" who was killed when her small red sedan and a garbage truck collided just west of Port Macquarie on Tuesday morning.
Hazel was driving east along Hastings River Drive, about three kilometres west of the Port Macquarie town centre, with her 23-month-old nephew in the car, when her vehicle and a west-bound garbage truck collided about 9.30am, police said.
The impact of the crash smashed the front of Hazel's car, and forced the garbage truck to run off the road and overturn. Hazel died at the scene.
Hazel's nephew was taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.
The garbage truck driver was also taken to hospital, for mandatory blood and urine tests. He was not injured.
The death of the popular student sent shockwaves throughout Westport High School, which has postponed the remainder of this week's half-yearly exams.
Instead, students will gather at the school on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to Hazel, who friends said also worked at a local Garden Village retirement home.
Counsellors will be available at the school to speak to students.
The school's year 12 adviser posted a photograph of Hazel on the school's Facebook page, saying it "is with deepest regret that we must announce the tragic death of Hazel Kirkbride, one of our Year 12 students".
"Hazel passed away today following a car accident on Hastings River Drive. Our condolences and warmest thoughts go to Hazel's family and friends," the message said.
It prompted a remarkable outpouring of grief, with more than 600 messages posted online in response.
A woman, who said she was a relative of Hazel, posted that she would "pass on the thoughts and wishes to my family".
"It's such a horrible thing that has happened. Our family will never be the same," the message said.
A classmate, Daniel, wrote that he was "going to miss your smiling face in PE".
"Just can't believe it. Im sad enough, I can't even imagine how sad her friends and family are," he wrote.
Another person wrote: "I had the honour of working with Hazel at Garden Village. Such a beautiful young lady, who had a very promising future ahead of her. We are all mourning the loss of such a loving and caring young lady. To Hazel's Family, I send my deepest condolences. You raised a beautiful young lady who is now a very special angel. Rest in Peace, Hazel xx."
A friend, Stephanie, wrote: "Words cant describe how much i miss you already, i was so blessed to have grown up with you by my side, i love you forever and ever hazel x x x x x x x".
Police said the cause of the crash was under investigation.
