Children thrown from bonnet - mother charged

The car crashed into a Kulim Park bench on Staurday, throwing two children from the bonnet.

Two young children were "extremely lucky not to be seriously injured, or worse" after they were flung from their mother's car bonnet on Saturday.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said police were called to Kulim Park about 3.10pm on Saturday for a car crashed into a park bench and two children who had been thrown from the bonnet.

Witnesses to the incident told police the woman drove her car into Kulim Park, stopped on entering and the woman's two children jumped out.

Mr Campion said a girl who looked about 8-years-old climbed onto the bonnet and helped her younger brother, about 5-years-old, up.

The woman reportedly drove the car across the park about 30km/h, crashing into an unoccupied park bench and the two children were thrown 3 to 4m from the bonnet.

Mr Campion said fortunately the children, although distressed, were not injured.

"Personally I'm appalled at that kind of behaviour," he said.

"It's a recipe for disaster. The children were extremely lucky not to be seriously injured, or worse."

The matter has been referred to Child Youth and Family Services for their consideration.

The woman will appear in the Tauranga District Court on Friday, May 23, charged with reckless driving.