Van driver who hit boy, 3, still in shock

Spraypaint marks show where a young boy was hit, dragged and killed. Photo / Natalie Slade

The driver of the van that hit and killed a 3-year-old boy is deeply shocked and is being comforted by family.

David Taliai died when the eight-seater van hit him in Dalgety Drive, Manurewa, on Tuesday. He had been playing outside a block of shops while his mother shopped inside when the tragedy occurred about 1.45pm.

The driver's brother told the Herald he was devastated and was thinking only about the family of the dead boy, rather than if he would face charges over the accident.

Family members were helping him to deal with the shock and "put him back in the right direction ... Put yourself in that situation, it's very hard to swallow."

He heard something and then felt a bump, his brother said. "He's very upset ... The impact of what's happened is only just setting in."

He wanted to speak to the Taliai family but would wait to make contact through the police at a time they were ready.

"It's a very hard time."

A man who works close to where David was killed, Vui Vitale, 60, said the driver was, "a very nice man, a family man - he wouldn't hurt a fly".

Mr Vitale said there were often children darting on to the roads while their parents' attention was on the shops.

"Every time I drive through there I take it so, so slowly.

"And still kids go flying out in front of my car, even dogs, while the people are looking at the clothing.

"It's just sad."

A woman who gave David CPR is so traumatised she is having to seek help.

While she was performing CPR, David's mother knelt beside his body and cried out "please don't take him" and "cuddle me, my son".

Police are expected to interview the driver again this week.