A young Tauranga girl has died when she was hit by a four-wheel-drive while riding her bike.
Police confirmed the five-year-old died of her injuries at the scene of the accident on the intersection of Mataphi and Waikari Rds.
The crash happened about 1.20pm today. Police ambulance and the Fire Service attended.
Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders, of Tauranga, said there were no other adults with the young girl when the accident happened.
"There was another child [an eight-year-old girl] with the deceased."
He said the pair lived "in the vicinity".
Mr Saunders said the driver of the 4x4 utility vehicle attempted to help the child after the accident and assist police with their inquiry.
He said the details of the investigation would be released once complete.
Neighbours gathered at the scene were solemn, while one said they heard a bang from inside her property when the crash happened, but had no idea what it could have been at the time.
They said the girl had come riding out of Waikare Rd onto Matapihi Rd where the ute hit her.
Her pink bike with white wheels lay smashed on the pavement just metres from their front gate.
"It's a very sad day," another neighbour said.
A Fire Service spokesman confirmed crew had attended the crash, but were told to stand down not long after.
Emergency services remained at the accident site this afternoon and the road was expected to remain closed for several hours.
The Police Serious Crash Unit was also at the scene and an investigation is under way.
Earlier reports had indicated the young girl was older than she was, but police have confirmed she was in fact five, not seven.
