Girl’s death in drain brings call for safety locks
Auckland Council will look at whether it can prevent further tragedies after the death of a young woman who fell headfirst into a flooded drain.
The 17-year-old, named by family on social media as Violet Tupou, died on Saturday afternoon in Mangere.
A community leader, Lemauga Lydia Sosene, is among those calling for drainage grates to be bolted down. She also wants bolts that can only be unlocked by staff or contractors using an Allen key. Sosene, who chairs the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, lives in the same collection of cul-de-sacs around Enuamanu Rd as Tupou, near the fatal drain. She spoke for the first time yesterday about the tragedy that ended her young neighbour’s life.
“It’s devastating that it happens to any child, but it’s worse when you know the child.
Sosene spoke to Tupou, who a relative said was autistic, the day before her death.
“I said to her, ‘You haven’t got school today,’ and I got this cheeky grin. That’s Violet. She was always smiling.”
Sosene has contacted Auckland Council, as well as writing to Mayor Phil Goff and council chief executive Stephen Town, asking for action to prevent another tragedy.
Both city leaders responded with condolences. The council is investigating Tupou’s death.
Barry Potter, Auckland Council’s director of infrastructure and environmental services, said safety was always the priority.
He said the council and Auckland Transport had commissioned a review into the drains.