THE devastated father of a young girl mowed down at a party paid an emotional tribute to their precious' daughter.

Harry and Lorraine Young, who emigrated from Burnley to New Zealand for a better life five years ago, said daughter Jane was about to leave the party at a house in St Albans, Christchurch, when she was tragically killed.

The 16-year-old, who attended Unlimited, a state secondary school in the centre of Christchurch, was due to spend the Saturday night at a friend's for a sleep-over.

Mr Young revealed yesterday that his daughter had called home at 10pm, just 45 minutes before she was killed to say that she was fine.

But the party soon began to spiral out of control.

A man is believed to have fought with other partygoers before getting into the car and driving at a group of teens, killing Jane and 16-year-old Hannah Rossiter.

Realising the party was becoming dangerous, Jane had texted a friend at 10.15pm, saying they should meet outside and leave, Mr Young said.

He added: "It's been a nightmare. I can't stop crying.

"She was a pretty high achiever and even though she was in school she did one morning a week at University studying philosophy."

The teenager, who lived on Padiham Road in Burnley, attended Wellfield C of E Primary School, Ightenhill, and spent a year at Ivy Bank High School before moving to New Zealand with her family.

The family, who live in West Eyerton village, located half an hours drive from Christchurch, got a phone call on Saturday night with news of the accident.

Mr Young said: "We got a phonecall at midnight on Saturday from another girl's mother.

"We rang the hospital but did not get anywhere and so we went there.

"They took us to one side and said that she had terrible brain damage and had no chance of surviving."

The family were very close and even more so since they moved to New Zealand, the 47-year-old surveyor added.

Mr Young said: "She was particularly close to her older brother Chris.

"And my wife Lorraine is absolutely devastated to have lost her best friend.

"Her cheekiness is what I will miss the most, and her sarcasm. She always liked to win arguments, she had to be assertive having three brothers."

Jane leaves behind brothers Chris, 18, George, 15 and Alastair,12, and "heartbroken" grandparents in Lancashire.

Mrs Young said: "She was just very, very precious to me. I don't want to plan a funeral for my 16-year-old daughter - I need her with me.

"I know when you lose someone you have to learn to live without them, but I don't think I will be able to. I don't see how I can carry on without her."

Mrs Young said she had seen her daughter on Saturday and knew she was going to a party and would get in touch with her by text.

"I said the usual, Keep yourself safe'. She was a sensible girl," she said.

The family said they were concerned about an "aggressive culture" that existed in Christchurch.

"We come from a culture where there is binge drinking but we don't start hitting each other.

"It's a shame because most people in Christchurch are lovely people," Harry Young said.

Brother Chris added: "She was just a wonderful, amazing lady - she was my sister and my best friend. She was everything you could ask for in a human being - an example to everyone."

Assistant headteacher at Wellfield school Wendy Stewart said she remembered a happy, friendly and bright little girl.

She said: "A lot of teachers here have known and taught all the family, and Jane's death is a terrible shock for the whole school - we were all devastated when we heard the news.

"She was a lovely, bright and friendly little girl and we have all got fond memories of her."

The school is planning a memorial service to pay tribute to Jane.

The family thanked friends in Lancashire for flowers and messages of support.

Mr Young said: "We have had flowers from friends in Lancashire and would like to say thank you to everyone who has shown their concern."

The funeral is planned for next Monday (May 14) and her body will be cremated but the family have yet to decide where to scatter the ashes.

Of the 10 other people injured on Saturday night, two remained in a critical condition in Christchurch Hospital's ICU. Factory worker Lipine Sila, 22, has been charged with murdering Jane and Hannah.