Police have urged extra vigilance be taken when driving around children after a young girl was run over by a family member in their home driveway at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to Aorangi Rd in Takapau, Hawke's Bay, at about 7.15pm on Sunday after a girl just under 2-years-old was hit by a car and critically injured.
She was taken to the Hawke's Bay Hospital by St John ambulance and then flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland, where she was yesterday reported to be in a stable condition.
A police spokesperson said the incident was a "stark reminder" that it could easily happen to anyone.
"The driver of the vehicle, who was about to leave the address, was unaware that the toddler had followed him to his car, and as he reversed out of his carport onto the driveway, the child who was behind the car was run over.