'Sweet child' loses battle to live

Shaun Malthus, seen here in the arms of All Black Richard Kahui in 2007, was in intensive care for 11 days before he died. Photo / APN

A Hamilton schoolboy described as a sunny-minded "sweet child" has died from critical injuries he suffered when struck by a car nearly two weeks ago.

Shaun Malthus's family kept a round-the-clock vigil at his bedside in Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit until his death overnight on Sunday, 11 days after he was hurt as he crossed a busy road on his way to school at Hamilton Boys' High.

"He fought hard and we were with him all the way, but it just wasn't to be," family spokeswoman Karyn Malthus told the Herald yesterday.

"He was one of those lads who had real charisma and natural talent. Whilst our family is a big one, it is made even bigger by the family friends and Shaun's schoolmates who have been part of Shaun's life and who will keep us strong as we face the future without Shaun.

"We will miss Shaun terribly, as we know his schoolmates and other friends will."

Ms Malthus said the family's hearts also went out to the young driver whose vehicle struck 13-year-old Shaun as he crossed Ruakura Rd on the morning of June 30.

"We are also thinking of him and his family as they work through this."

Hamilton Boys' High principal Susan Hassall said Shaun's schoolmates - many of whom had visited him in hospital - were still coming to terms yesterday with the tragedy and several had already received counselling.

"We've got strategies set up so that they can get support if they need it and I understand some of them have taken the guidance team up on that.

"A tragedy has a huge impact on the school and this is no exception.

"Shaun has been well loved by the school community, and since the accident he has had many visitors," Ms Hassall said.

Shaun was a popular Year 9 student and a great many boys knew him, either from intermediate school or having met him this year at Boys' High, or through soccer.

"He was a young man who stood out as a genuinely courteous and optimistic person, and hopeful. He was a very lovely, very special young man and just a sweet child, really."

Ms Hassall plans to offer a tribute to Shaun at the next school assembly and said she would speak to his parents about a possible memorial.

"I need to visit Shaun's family before we can even think about what we'll do in the near future, but we'll definitely ensure that he is remembered in a way that both the parents and boys at his school think is appropriate."

Waikato's acting road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said Shaun's death was an absolute tragedy, "regardless of culpability".

"A young man has lost his life, and all road deaths are preventable.

"We need the community to embrace this and say enough is enough."

Mr Penno said police had interviewed the driver of the car that hit Shaun in an 80km/h zone and he was co-operating with them.

The 17-year-old labourer locked his brakes as he tried unsuccessfully to stop his car before hitting Shaun, who was thought to have been following a friend who had already crossed the road.

The impact knocked Shaun off his feet. He hit the car's windscreen, then bounced off it on to the road.

The matter is still under investigation by the Waikato serious crash unit and its inquiries will determine what, if any, charges may result from the accident.

Karyn Malthus said relatives and friends would be welcome at the family home over the next few days.

A funeral service for Shaun will be held at Hamilton's Newstead Chapel at 1pm on Thursday.

Shaun's death brings the Waikato road toll to 30, compared to 29 for the same period last year.

The accident was the latest in a bad run for pedestrians in Hamilton and the Waikato.

Two elderly women have been killed in separate incidents this year, and an elderly couple were hit by a truck in Cambridge, suffering moderate to serious injuries.