Girl dies in fall while biking to dairy

Photo / The Aucklander

A 10-year-old Hamilton girl has died after cycling down a flight of stairs in Papakowhai, near Porirua, yesterday afternoon.

The girl was cycling to the dairy about 1pm with her aunty and cousin, whom she was visiting.

Police said it appears the girl was unfamiliar with the terrain and cycled ahead of her aunty down a smooth pathway leading further onto a set of stairs. She then cycled over the stairs and fell, landing some 12 to 15 steps down the stairs.

Ambulance staff were unable to resuscitate her. Police have confirmed the girl was wearing a helmet.

Police have not yet released her name as next of kin and other relatives overseas have yet to be informed.

Kapiti Mana acting area commander Inspector Soni Malaulau said police are liaising with the family and ensuring they are kept informed.

"This appears to be a very tragic accident and as a community we share in the family's grief, particularly when it involves the death of young children."

The death has been referred to the coroner.

- NZ Herald staff