Warnings are being issued after reports youth in Timaru are planning to remember the teenagers who died in Saturday's horror crash with a gathering on Friday, August 13.
Five teenage boys were killed after the car they were travelling in smashed into a power pole at the Seadown Rd and Meadows Rd intersection in Washdyke just before 7:30pm. One of the victims was in the car's boot.
The only survivor was the 19-year-old driver, who was seriously injured and is now in hospital.
A social media post obtained by Stuff shows plans for a "car meet up" where participants are asked to "bring your loudest cars or any car and let's all show them how much we miss them".
"We would love it if you came but please remember to drive safely and wear seatbelts.
"Feel free to tear up the road as much as you want but make sure that no one gets hurt."
The post said the gathering would start at 6:30pm and at 8pm everyone would hold hands to form a line across the road while singing a song in memory of the boys.
However, members of the community have expressed concern.
Police inspector Dave Gaskin said they understand there are members of the community who wish to pay tribute, but police ask that any commemorations are "undertaken safely and lawfully".
"Police will monitor the situation and have a visible presence to ensure any activity is carried out in a safe manner," he said.
Timaru district mayor Nigel Bowen told Newshub he has "full confidence the police will be all over this".
"I guess kids and teenagers have got to be able to grieve in what's fitting for them of memories of their mates but I certainly echo the concern of police and make sure that everything is extremely safe and we don't add to the toll.
"It's a pretty tough time for the community and all of the parents involved so we need to do the right thing and I know we rush to wanting to do certain actions but we need to take some time... No one will want any more harm caused to our young people so I'm sure [police] will be out in full force on Friday."
Timaru Boys' High School's rector Dave Thorp posted to the school's Facebook page urging parents to dissuade children from attending.
"Due to the likely age of the participants and some very real safety concerns, the police do not want this event to take place. If you hear that your son is involved in this, please discourage him from attending. We will do the same at school."
Victim Niko Hill was a recent ex-student of the school, attending Timaru Boys' High School until the end of Term 1 this year.
"He had a close set of friends and enjoyed playing rugby during his time here. Today, we held a short assembly to acknowledge the pain and sense of loss that our community will be feeling, and to inform students how to access support," Thorpe said.
"We are aware that many of our students will know Niko and/or the other boys. Our school counsellor will be available in the Memorial Library for students who need a place to go if they require support."
