Child hurt after being hit by reversing car

A toddler had a near miss after being run over by a reversing car in Napier on Saturday. Photo File

Police are calling for care around driveways and footpaths following an incident involving a young child in Napier at the weekend.

At about 8.30am on Saturday a 3-year-old child was run over by a reversing vehicle in Greenmeadows, Napier.

The child had been riding a bicycle on a footpath with her parents, who were walking behind her.

The parents spotted the vehicle reversing from a driveway and managed to slow the driver down, however he didn't have enough time to completely stop and the child was struck as a result.

Luckily, the child had been wearing a bike helmet and received only minor scrapes and bruises.

Senior Sergeant Mike Stevenson, from the Eastern District Command Centre, says it is a timely reminder for the drivers to exercise caution around driveways and footpaths.

"As a driver, it is your responsibility to make sure the area around your vehicle is safe, especially around residential driveways where children could be playing," he says.

"It is easy for young children to disappear below normal vehicle sightlines and blind spots so drivers need to ensure the space is clear around them.

"Children are most vulnerable to vehicles when they are moving in and out of driveways, so please take care and take your time when backing out."