Scream as toddler struck in driveway

A woman’s wail echoed across blocks of suburban Hamilton flats yesterday morning.

Neighbours say it was probably the mother of the one year old who had just been struck by a car at the end of a long driveway on Firth St. Emergency services were called to the scene on Firth St in Hamilton East yesterday morning, police said in a statement.

‘‘The child suffered serious injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital,’’ the statement said.

The toddler was hit in the driveway of a block of flats, where police were seen investigating around midday. By midday, the driveway was clear apart from single Nike slide discarded on the ground.

Simon Barr, who lives nearby, said all he heard was a ‘‘really distressed’’ scream.

‘‘That would have been the mum’s scream,’’ he reflected, hours later. I was like, that’s a bit different. Someone’s in distress. But so many nutty things go on around here.’’

Barr got on with his day and didn’t think much of it until the police came asking questions later on.

Teena French said she heard some early morning commotion, but hadn’t thought much of it. The one year old would have only learnt how to walk recently, French said.

While French didn’t know the family well, she remembered seeing the toddler as a small baby.

‘‘They’re good parents, too,’’ French said. ‘‘[It’s] really sad.’’

Hamilton’s driveways were dangerous, she said, as it was such a highly populated area. French often sees small children on bikes or running around near the blocks of flats.

‘‘That was bound to happen eventually. Kids always play up and down here. It’s not a good place for children to play.’’

Police investigated the scene yesterday. Police are offering support to the family involved, the statement said.