Family waits seven years for coroner's verdict

The family of a girl killed by a car nearly seven years ago is still waiting for the Rotorua coroner to complete his finding.

Seven-year-old Tahlya Ngaranoa Eruera Harris was struck by a 4WD after she got off a school bus on October 28, 1998.

Her grandfather, Edward Brass, said yesterday he was upset the case had not yet been closed.

The driver of the 4WD, Matthew Frank Cook, was charged with careless driving causing death but was acquitted in 1999.

The judge found that while motorists were supposed to travel 20km/h around buses, this was not the case if the bus was moving.

The jury found the bus was pulling away at the time Tahlya was struck by the car.

Mr Brass said the family was disappointed with the trial outcome and they had little faith that the coroner's finding would do any good.

"I thought everything was done with that court case."

Tahlya's mother lives in Australia and the girl's father was unable to be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, another family had been waiting eight years to find out how their two-year-old accidentally hung herself on playground equipment.

Coroner David Dowthwaite said yesterday he had completed a draft of his finding regarding Tahlya's death "but I haven't got it out yet".

Changes to the Coroners Act are currently being considered by a parliamentary select committee.

If passed, it will see an overhaul of the system, including ensuring families are kept better informed of the procedures.

- NZPA