Father saved toddler by jacking up stationwagon

A stationwagon had to be lifted up on a jack to free a 13-month-old toddler who was run over in a driveway.

It is understood the boy was run over in the driveway of his Rangiora home about 10.50am on Tuesday by a work colleague of his parents.

The boy, believed to be called Malachi, was last night in Starship Hospital in a serious but stable condition with a broken back, broken leg and head injuries. He is undergoing further tests.

Sergeant Rob Irvine said the boy's parents were saying goodbye to the colleague when the accident happened.

There was confusion over who was caring for the toddler and it appears the boy managed to get out the gate and onto the driveway without anyone noticing.

Mr Irvine said the stationwagon was reversing slowly but the boy was run over.

The father jacked up the stationwagon to free his son before carrying him inside.

A nurse, who happened to be passing by the house, tended to him until an ambulance arrived.

The boy was first taken to Christchurch Hospital but then flown to Starship hospital on Tuesday night.

Friends say the woman who ran over the boy is devastated by what happened.

Mr Irvine said it was too early to say if charges would be laid.

He urged parents to always be aware of the whereabouts of their children and for motorists to double check before reversing out of driveways.

Between January 1998 and October 2001, six children were killed and 69 were admitted to Starship hospital after being struck by a vehicle in a home driveway.