Baby dead in Karaka, Auckland, crash police reveal

The victim of a fatal car crash in South Auckland at the weekend was a baby, police have revealed.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Walters and Blackbridge Rds in Karaka about 8.50pm on Saturday.

A single car had crashed into a bank in the rural South Auckland area, a police spokesperson said.

“One of the occupants sadly could not be revived by first responders and died at the scene, while the other was transported to hospital in a serious condition.”

A police spokesman confirmed to the Herald today that the victim was a baby.

The Serious Crash Unit attended the incident, which remains under investigation.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they responded to the incident with two ambulances, one rapid response unit and one manager.

“We transported one patient to hospital in a serious condition.”

One community member said on social media that they “heard a huge bang” followed by police sirens and lights.

The crash came a day after the end of the Christmas and New Year holiday road toll period, during which 13 people died over 2024/25.

Police Superintendent Steve Greally, the director of road policing, said this holiday period road toll was just over half last year’s total of 22.

“While it’s fantastic to have seen this number drop, any death on the roads is still one too many,” Greally said.

“That’s still 13 families who have had their lives irrevocably changed at what should be a happy and festive time of year, and our hearts go out to them.

National road policing director Superintendent Steve Greally. Photo / NZME

“It’s important that we collectively keep doing everything we can to prevent lives being lost on our roads.”

Police would continue to be out in force across the country this summer, conducting road policing operations and patrols to target unsafe driver behaviour, he said.

“Our officers are doing everything they can out on the roads working to reduce the number of serious crashes,” said Greally.

“But we need drivers to be doing their bit too.

“Please – make sure everyone in your vehicle is safely buckled up, drive at a safe speed for the conditions under the speed limit, put your [mobile phone] away, and ensure you’re driving free of fatigue, alcohol, and drugs.”

As of 1pm on January 6, the total provisional road toll for 2024 was 292, down from 319 in 2023, 349 in 2022, 300 in 2021 and 307 in 2020, according to Ministry of Transport figures.

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