Toddler in car crash named

The 4-year-old who died after her father crashed his car into a power pole in Papatoetoe on Thursday was Shontel Tiatia.

Thirty-two-year-old Sedric Tiatia's BMW smashed into the pole on Puhinui Rd about 7am.

Neighbours said they woke to hear a huge bang.

They ran outside and saw the fallen pole, and electrical sparks and flames above the power lines. Tiatia was distraught and crying as he carried his daughter out of the car. The neighbour said he kept yelling, "Wake up Shontel, open your eyes".

Shontel had received serious head injuries. She was taken to Starship Hospital where life support was turned off later that afternoon.

Her funeral is being held tomorrow in Mangere.