Community ‘feels the hurt’ of driveway death

The smaller the community, the deeper the impact the unexpected loss of a young child can be.

Carterton people, whether they knew the family of a toddler killed in a driveway reversing incident on Wednesday or not, were left reeling by the tragic event.

Carterton mayor Greg Lang said it was ‘‘absolutely devastating’’ to hear the news even though he didn’t know the family personally.

‘‘We really feel the hurt and the community will wrap around as and when the family wants.

‘‘It’s one of the worst-case scenarios that could happen and everyone’s just sharing their love.’’

Support funds have been set up across wider Wairarapa.

Elaine Leggott’s Doing a Good Deed page on Facebook has bank account details for donations that will go into a fund for the family.

‘‘People in the community on the page said ‘what are we going to do for the family?’, so I started something.’’

Leggott, who does not know the family personally, said there has been a ‘‘huge outpouring’’ of support because these tragedies hit home for everyone. It only took a split second and everything changed.

She said she hoped that the money they were raising could be used to go towards any costs at this tragic time.

‘‘When the news came out, the whole place was in shock, just absolutely devastated for the family. I’ve had so many messages.’’

The money will be distributed to the family via Police or Victim Support when the fundraising has run its course, Leggott said.

The family has been approached through a third party for comment, but has asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.

Detective Senior Sergeant Barry

Bysouth said investigations and interviews would be continuing into the circumstances around the incident that occurred just before 11am on Lincoln Rd, Carterton on Wednesday.

‘‘Witnesses have been identified and more statements will be taken so that we can complete our investigation,’’ he said.

A post-mortem examination was completed and the report supplied to police yesterday.

An average of five children are killed every year after being run over in driveways and most children injured in driveway accidents were toddlers, aged about two.

‘‘When the news came out, the whole place was in shock.’’ Elaine Leggott