The student who died during an out-of-control University of Otago house party was 19-year-old Sophia Crestani, who grew up in Wellington.

 
Sophia Crestani, 19, died at the party. Photo: Supplied via NZ Herald

Witnesses say Sophia - who has an identical twin sister - may have been trampled after she and others fell down stairs at the house.

Sophia was finishing her second year of study at the University of Otago, with final lectures for 2019 wrapping up this week.

The residence at which she died was being held at a renowned party house on Dundas St referred to as "the Manor", which had just been sold after being student accommodation for years.

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It is understood around 500-600 students attended the party on Friday night, in which dozens of students were crushed after a crowd was pushed and collapsed on top of each other down the staircase.

Sophia had attended Wellington Presbyterian girls school Queen Margaret College, before moving to Dunedin for university.

The 19-year-old had an interest in fashion while at Queen Margaret, having had a dress she designed displayed at the National War Memorial in 2017 for the World of WearableArt event.

While back home in Wellington, outside of University classes in Dunedin, Sophia worked casually as a recreation assistant at the ASB Sports Centre.

Queen Margaret College principal Jayne-Ann Young would not name the student but acknowledged she was a former pupil and offered her condolences and prayers to her family and friends.

"We naturally are deeply saddened to hear this terrible news about a former student," Young said.

"Our head of senior school and a chaplain from the college are heading to Dunedin to support previous students and the school is open for any past or present students if they wish to meet here."

Sophia also had a profile on the ICAN models, actors and extras agency.