Baby run over in freak driveway accident

Police were today continuing to investigate a freak accident which left a four-week old baby dead in Auckland yesterday.

It is believed that the child's mother pulled into a driveway at a house in Kaurilands Road, Titirangi, yesterday afternoon to visit friends.

The BMW car then began to roll backwards knocking the child from the mother's arms under the wheels of the vehicle.

Neighbours called emergency services when they heard the mother's screams.

Ambulance staff carried out CPR but the child died at the scene.

It is understood that the woman's two year-old son was also in the car.

Waitemata Serious Crash Unit Sergeant Stu Kearns said it was still not clear exactly what happened and police officers were talking to witnesses.

"The mother was getting out of the car with the baby. The child was struck by the vehicle but we're not sure what happened. It is still very early."

The car engine was not running at the time.

Police have not yet released the name of the victim.

It is the second New Zealand driveway death in the past six days.

A two-year-old was killed when struck by a reversing car in a house driveway in Wairoa in northern Hawke's Bay on March 22.

The car was being driven by a family friend who had been visiting the toddler's home.

Safekids New Zealand said today that on average four children a year were killed on private driveways.

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