Child dies after being struck by vehicle in Kaitāia, Far North driveway

A child has died after a driveway incident in Kaitāia, Far North.

A toddler has died after being struck by a vehicle in a Kaitāia driveway yesterday afternoon.

The 20-month-old girl was flown by Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Auckland’s Starship Hospital but died this morning, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Northland police, said.

The girl’s parents drove her to Kaitāia Hospital after the incident, where medical staff determined she’d suffered critical injuries.

“The child was flown to Auckland’s Starship Hospital for specialist care, but sadly she succumbed to her injuries this morning.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the child at this time.”

Police are investigating the incident, which occurred when a vehicle was leaving the property.

“Police will continue to speak to the family, as we investigate what occurred leading up to this incident.

“This tragedy is a timely reminder for motorists to be extra watchful of children cycling and walking on our roads and footpaths during the school holidays.”

Two other children have died and two more have been injured - one critically - in driveway incidents in the past three months.

Six-year-old Tuakau girl Terase Wylie died on October 3 after an incident involving a vehicle in a driveway on Martindale Lane in the small North Waikato settlement 11km south of Pukekohe.

Two weeks later a child died after being run over by a car on a driveway in Watling St, in the central Auckland suburb of Epsom.

And five days before Christmas two young children were seriously injured by a vehicle in a driveway in Te Kūiti.

The children were flown by rescue helicopter to Waikato Hospital, one in a critical condition and the other serious, although the second child’s injuries were later downgraded to minor.

Simple steps to prevent driveway tragedies

CHECK

Count the kids before you manoeuvre. Make sure they are in a safe place with an adult.

Understand how big the blind zones are around your car. Driveway runovers can happen driving forward and reversing.

Keep cars locked and don’t let children use driveways as play areas.

SUPERVISE

Ensure a responsible person (not a group of kids) is actively supervising toddlers and young children.

SEPARATE

Separate children from all areas used for driving. Install a childproof gate at doors or exits that lead to driveways.

If you’re expecting visitors, ask them to park on the road or put up a barrier to stop them parking in the drive.

Source: Safekids

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.