TODDLER’S PARENTS IN MERCY DASH
A tragic accident, say police
THE parents of a toddler run over and killed by a taxi on the Sovereign Islands yesterday were rushing back from a trip to Papua New Guinea to deal with the tragedy.
The 13-month-old died instantly after he was struck by a maxi-taxi in a quiet cul-desac in the exclusive suburb about 10.30am.
As the boy’s parents make a desperate dash back to Australia, police continue to review security camera footage from the vehicle and neighbouring homes.
THE parents of a toddler run over and killed by a taxi on Sovereign Islands yesterday were rushing back from a trip to Papua New Guinea to deal with the tragedy.
The 13-month-old died instantly after he was struck by a maxi-taxi in a quiet cul-desac in the exclusive suburb about 10.30am.
As the boy’s parents make a desperate dash back to Australia, police continue to review security camera footage from the vehicle and neighbouring homes.
His aunt had been caring for the boy and his three siblings, all aged under 12, while the children’s parents were away.
It is believed the aunt was paying the cab driver when the little boy ran back across the road towards her. He was hit by the taxi.
The aunt was inconsolable, cradling the child’s lifeless body in her arms, sobbing.
Both she and the taxi driver, a 32-year-old man were taken to hospital suffering shock.
The Gold Coast Bulletin understands the family were PNG ex-pats, and had been renting the Excalibur Crt home for less than a year.
“The taxi driver is beside himself,” police said.
Queensland Ambulance Service’s Luke Wyatt said of the toddler: “Unfortunately, his injuries were non-survivable and we didn’t attempt resuscitation.
“It was a very emotional scene and we transported both the aunty and the driver to hospital.
“This an absolute tragedy at any time of the year, let alone just before Christmas. It’s the sort of job no-one wants to go to and it has affected all of us.”
A man who witnessed the tragedy, Dane Axsel, said the screams of horror at the scene were “relentless”.
“I’m still in shock – this is something you can’t unsee,” he told media.
“The cab was just rolling forward really slowly – he wouldn’t have seen the child, he couldn’t have.”
Families said they often saw the children playing in the street, and were shaken by the little boy’s death.
Police said there was no suggestion it was any more than a “tragic” accident.
Gold Coast Cabs executive general manager Benjamin Lee said the company was devastated.
“Gold Coast Cabs wishes to offer its sincere condolences to the child’s family,” he said. “We will continue to work closely with the police in their investigation and support the driver involved.”