A student who was caught in the same crush of people that killed 19-year-old Sophia Crestani at a Dunedin party in 2019 told a coronial inquest she felt like she was going to die on what was "the worst night" of her life "by far".
The witness, who has interim name suppression, gave her evidence on Thursday.
She recalled initially staying outside upon arriving at the flat, nicknamed 'The Manor', to attend 'Maggot Fest' - the last party before the flat was handed over to the university.
"I wasn't even going to bother trying to get inside as it looked too crowded."
Eventually she and a friend decided to give it a go and once inside they found it "shoulder to shoulder".
The tenants, who have all given evidence, had protected the carpet with plastic wrap and boarded up or locked all but three rooms to protect their belongings. There were two DJ rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs.
They had invited 400 people via a private Facebook page.
The witness said it took her and a friend around 15 minutes to get down the staircase inside and she "was finding it hard to stand up".
"People fell on top of me... I was face first on the floor," she said.
After falling, she said she managed to turn on her side and protect her head.
The witness broke down several times while she was giving evidence.
She said it became dark like the lights had been turned off, which was probably due to so many people being on top of her.
"I remember holding onto someone's hands... I could see another face, I think it was Sophia... everyone was crying and screaming... panicking," she said.
"I was screaming for people to help me as I was getting very short of breath.
"I was terrified and couldn't move... I thought I was going to die.
"I could see someone limp on the floor, I think that was Sophia."
The witness said there was "panic and chaos" everywhere.
Sophia's parents have taken a leading role in the inquest. Sophia's mother, Elspeth McMillan, asked the witness about her experience at the party.
"It was the worst night of my life by far," she said, adding she has tried to avoid similar experiences ever since.
Several witnesses throughout the inquest have said the party had a profound impact on them. They struggled during the end of year exams, and for the rest of the year. They now avoid big parties and big crowds in general as the trauma of the night continues to impact them.
Another witness, Samson Aruwa, told the inquest he thought there were roughly 40 people in the pile up, which he estimated was about a metre high.
"It was a complete mess," he said.
People were trying to force their way in through the front door because they had no idea what was happening inside, he said.
He recalled trying to stop people from entering, but they would not listen to him.
Aruwa said he helped others lift people off the pile, and helped lift Sophia.
The court heard Aruwa was a pallbearer at Sophia's funeral.
Her mother thanked him.
"To our family you're an absolute hero," she said.
"We have no doubt your actions on the night prevented many more injuries and fatalities."
The inquest will hear from members
