Phillipa Jane Manning (43) and her daughter, Rebecca Katherine Coulter (6), both of Waihola, were killed when the station wagon they were travelling in and a truck-and-trailer unit collided on State Highway 1, near Milton.
Ms Manning's daughter, Abigail Coulter, who turned 3 yesterday, is in hospital after being rescued by a passing truck driver.
In Waihola, the small community was still absorbing the news yesterday.
At Rebecca's school, Waihola District School, staff spoke to all pupils together yesterday morning.
The principal declined to comment when contacted, but the school forwarded a copy of a notice sent home to parents.
It said Rebecca's father had informed the school of the accident that morning.
"He said that Rebecca had been so excited about being in her third year at our school and earning the privilege of her very own desk.
"At school, Rebecca had shared stories of her recent holiday and the fun she had with her family.
"Rebecca's younger sister, Abigail, is still in hospital and is expected to be able to return home in a few days.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pip and Rebecca during this very sad time.
"Our community has shown tremendous love and offered their generous support."
The notice also outlined support measures for pupils and parents and said the school would continue to run as normal, as that was known to be the most supportive measure in such instances.
Ms Manning, a radiographer with Dunedin-based Otago Radiology, was based three days a week at Clutha Health First, in Balclutha, providing radiography services.
Otago Radiation director Dr James Fulton said Ms Manning had worked with the company for four years, and it was "a tragic loss for us and for her family".
"We are devastated."
Many of those spoken to in Waihola yesterday said the news was just sinking in, but it was a close community and people would rally around each other for support.
A shop owner in Waihola described Ms Manning as a "lovely, lovely, person", and said while Ms Manning had only moved relatively recently to live full-time in the area, the deaths had affected many people.
