A girl injured when she was struck by a vehicle in an east Auckland school car park has died.
Emergency services were called to Pigeon Mountain Primary School in Bucklands Beach at about 8.40am on March 23 after being notified of a serious crash involving a vehicle and pedestrian.
The girl was taken to Starship Hospital in a critical condition.
Counties Manukau East Police senior sergeant Anson Lin says the girl died with her family by her side on March 28.
“Police extend our condolences to her family at this incredibly difficult time,” Lin says.
“We have been providing the support we can to the family as well as the wider school community, who have been greatly impacted by this incident.
“Going forward we will continue to work with partner agencies to help ensure those who require support have access to it.
“The police investigation into the crash remains ongoing.”
Counties Manukau Police’s serious crash investigation unit was notified of the incident and examined the scene shortly after it happened.
Police officers were at the school in Wells Road when the Times visited the scene.
Yellow cordon tape had been placed around a car park at the front of the school and access to the entrance blocked off.
Investigators were examining a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan parked on the grass adjacent to the car park.
Police revealed on March 24 that a 77-year-old man had been forbidden to drive following the incident.
“Any further decisions around his eligibility for driving will be for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to make,” police say.
Pigeon Mountain Primary School principal Ian Dickinson and board of trustees presiding member Mark Eades posted a public message on the school’s website on March 28.
“We are supporting and helping the [girl’s] family where possible,” they say.
“Our sympathies and love go out to her family and we will be striving to provide them with any support they need.
“During this difficult time, we are all going to express a range of emotions.
“We therefore should expect, try to understand, and support a variety of emotions and behaviours.
“We should support discussion about the event, the feelings it gives rise to, and ways of responding.”
Dickinson and Eades say they have implemented a plan for responding to the situation and helping children and their families.
They provided a list of contacts for people if needed, including Victim Support and counselling services.
“Our staff have been briefed on our plans and guidelines both for discussing the incident and understanding reactions,” they say.
“We have been supported by Ministry of Education specialists in this area.
“Our staff will be available to the children, and we have obtained outside help with supporting the children.
“As was the case last week, our library has become a safe space for children to seek advice and share their thoughts and emotions.”
Ministry of Education deputy secretary Katrina Casey says the ministry’s traumatic incident team is working with the school.
“Our thoughts are with the child, family, and the school community at this very difficult time for them.
“We will be available for as long as needed.”
