Boy killed at site of new family home

The boy is the second to be killed by a vehicle on a private driveway in South Auckland this month. Photo / File

A family preparing to build a home on their rural South Auckland block of land are grieving over the death of a 5-year-old boy who fell from the back of a trailer at the site.

The little boy was riding on the back of the trailer at the McGill Rd, Pokeno, property with a sibling on Tuesday when he slipped off and was killed.

The trailer was being towed by a 4x4 vehicle and was carrying a small digger.

The Herald has learned that the boy's family own the property, but do not live there. It is understood they are preparing to build a house there soon.

Yesterday, they said it was too soon to speak about their loss.

The Counties Manukau police serious crash unit is investigating.

The boy is the second to be killed by a vehicle on a private driveway in South Auckland this month. He is also the second child to fall from a moving trailer in the area.

Counties Manukau road policing manager Inspector Neil Fisher said the Pokeno death was a "tragic scene for everyone involved".

He pleaded with parents to be vigilant about safety when children were around any sort of vehicle.

"Driveways and carparks are just as dangerous as a road - a slow-moving or reversing vehicle can be deadly for a small person."

Mr Fisher added that a small child had no chance against a vehicle of any kind.

He urged everyone using driveways to be mindful of children at all times.