The scene of the fatal crash. Photo / NZPA
Driver error may have resulted in the death of a 13-year-old driver in south Auckland this morning, say police.
It appeared the boy died instantly from head injuries when the Subaru station wagon he was driving ploughed through several fences in the suburb of Manurewa, leaving a 100m trail of
damage, before hitting a house, said Constable Nicholas Cockerell, who attended the crash.
Police had spoken to four other teenagers who were in the car and fled after it crashed, one of who suffered minor injuries.
They would not be charged, Mr Cockerell said.
Police would not confirm reports the car was stolen but were looking into the allegation, he said.
Local superette owner Pravin Dahya told NZPA he heard a loud bang around 7am.
"They must have been going fast because it was a big, big noise," he said.
Shortly afterwards, a boy, around the age of 12, came into his shop asking "what happened to my friend, what happened to my friend?"
Police gave the boy the bad news, Mr Dahya said.
Mr Cockerell said initial inquiries indicated the crash was the result of driver error and miscalculation.
"It's really horrific to see a 13-year-old die in this way. These sorts of incidents are becoming all too common and it's something that needs to be sorted somehow."
The dead boy has yet to be named.
- NZPA
