KEY POINTS:
A five-year-old boy who died after being run over outside a Lower Hutt church yesterday was the second child to be killed in the courtyard.
Police said Levi Falemoe was with his mother and other family members in a relative's four-wheel-drive as they were being dropped at the Assembly of God Church in Stokes Valley around 3pm.
Detective Sergeant Dean Simpson said the boy got out of the vehicle in the courtyard area to play with other children.
As the driver moved forward to park Levi was hit and died at the scene a short time later.
Six years ago in the same courtyard a 14-month-old girl was killed when a church minister reversed into her.
Shortly after the accident, coroner Garry Evans recommended the church board took steps to prevent children wandering free from the church hall, the Stuff website reported.
In light of the second accident police today called for a review of the parking area's safety measures.
"From the police perspective it is a concern and we will be taking steps to discuss action that can be taken by the church," Mr Simpson told Radio New Zealand.
Levi was one of four to die in vehicle accidents over the Labour Weekend.
A 57-year-old woman was killed when a car crossed the centre line on State Highway 6 near Murchison, 98km northeast of Westport, around 2.45pm yesterday.
Nelson police detective Ruth Collins said it appeared a blue Subaru had crossed the line, clipping a vehicle towing a spa pool on a trailer, before slamming head-on into the woman's car which was following.
The woman was taken to Nelson Hospital where she died at 9pm.
Her male passenger suffered serious injuries but Ms Collins said police would likely to be able to speak with him tomorrow.
The female driver of the Subaru suffered fractures, lacerations and internal injuries and today remained in intensive care, although her injuries were not thought to be life threatening. Police hoped to speak with her over the next two days.
Ms Collins said witnesses from the first car struck by the Subaru would be interviewed tomorrow and police were seeking anyone else who may have information.
The victim's name has yet to be released.
On Saturday night two young men were killed in a crash near Wellington's ferry terminal.
They were David Setu Patrick Iafeta, 19, and Jimmy Junior Rere, 20, both of Porirua.
Wellington CIB Detective Sergeant Donna Howard said the driver, another young male, remained in a serious but stable condition at Wellington Hospital and police hoped to speak with him soon.
The men were killed when the car hit a barrier on the southbound lane of State Highway 1 near the Aotea off-ramp about 10pm.
One of them was flung 40m over the motorway barrier on to the ferry terminal carpark. Ferry staff rushed to his aid but he died before ambulance staff arrived. The second man also died at the scene after landing on the motorway.
Police said it was believed that the men had both been wearing seatbelts but could not explain how they were thrown from the vehicle.
It was not yet known what caused the crash. Ms Howard said no other vehicles were thought to be involved.
- NZPA
