Girl cyclist, 8, is dead after truck crash tragedy
An eight-year-old girl was killed in a collison with a truck while cycling home from school in Inglewood.
The crash happened at the intersection of Rata St and Miro St about 3.15pm yesterday and was attended by police, fire and St John ambulance staff.
The road was closed while emergency services worked the scene and diversions were put in place to keep traffic flowing.
Sergeant Allan Trow, Taranaki Highway Patrol, confirmed the fatality. ‘‘Unfortunately as a result of the collision the eight-year-old girl has passed away at the scene.’’
Trow said it appeared the truck had been turning out of Miro St on to Rata St and the cyclist had been riding along the footpath when the accident happened.
‘‘It’s not a good day for anyone really.’’
However he said it was too early to say what had caused the collision.
‘‘Obviously we have closed the scene off while we were dealing with the deceased and carrying out an investigation of the crash scene.
‘‘It’s too early at this stage (to say what caused the accident), we will have to under go our investigation before we make any decisions.’’
Police marked the road where the crash happened and the rear wheels of the truck with spray paint.
Trow said the girl’s family had been contacted and police were providing support to them at this time.
The death is believed to be the third on the region’s roads in 2017 and the 14th cyclist to be killed nationally.
The police Serious Crash Unit, from Palmerston North, had been advised.
The diversions around the scene were to remain in place until the SCU had carried out its investigation.
Inglewood Primary School principal Karen Patterson said the girl had been on her way home from school.
‘‘Inglewood Primary and the wider school community extend our deepest sympathy to the family and close friends,’’ she added.