By CHRIS DANIELS
An early morning joyride on an earthmoving tractor has ended in disaster for a young Manukau boy.
The 13-year-old was crushed under the machine after overturning it in a reserve.
In front of a group of his young friends, the boy had started the small tractor about 1 am yesterday
and set off for a ride.
He went down a dip, losing control of the tractor, which flipped and pinned him against the steering wheel.
Senior Sergeant Dave Glossop, of Wiri, said roading contractors had parked three vehicle near the reserve.
The boy "did a circuit around the reserve, then while doing a second circuit, he's accelerated and while going down a small dip, he braked, lost control, then it rolled over."
Friends pulled the boy free and called emergency services.
He was taken to Middlemore Hospital with severe crush injuries to his chest.
He has since been transferred to Green Lane Hospital, where he underwent surgery yesterday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Glossop said no keys had been left with the tractor. The incident had not raised any occupational safety and health issues, so there was no question of the contractors being prosecuted.
"When the child is ready to be spoken to, he will be referred to our Youth Aid section.
"He is too young to be prosecuted. It's a joyride that has turned into tragedy."
The brother of the injured boy, who along with his friends was watching police investigate the scene yesterday, said a spoon was used to start the tractor.
Senior Sergeant Glossop said it was not unusual in South Auckland for young teenagers to be playing in streets in the early hours, particularly during school holidays.
