A three-year-old girl who died in a tragic accident while playing with an older sibling will not be named.
Emergency services were called to a house in Rolleston, near Christchurch, at 4pm yesterday.
Police this afternoon said Coroner Gordon Matenga had issued a minute on the girl's death prohibiting publication of her name name and identifying details.
The cause or circumstances of her death also cannot be published.
''We would like to reiterate that the girl's death is not being treated as suspicious and was a tragic accident,'' Canterbury metropolitan area commander Superintendent Lane Todd said.
''The speculation, gossip and conjecture on social media is causing considerable, unnecessary distress to her family and friends.
''This is already an extremely traumatic time for her family and friends and we urge the community to rally together to support them by respecting their need for privacy at this time.''
The family are ''devastated'' at the tragic accident, a family friend said today.
The parents at their Rolleston home in a quiet cul-de-sac were too upset to speak.
Many friends and family have been coming and going today.
One friend said they were ''a lovely family''.
''There was always lots of fun and laughter ... I doubt that it'll ever be the same,'' said the friend.
''It's just so very tragic. Too much to handle, really.''
