Father who ran over and killed son speaks of grief

File photo / NZ Herald

The love of family and friends is helping a Gisborne couple through the trauma of losing their two-year-old son, run over in a driveway accident by his father.

Joseph Barrett was flown to Auckland's Starship Hospital on November 21, and his family kept a bedside vigil all week.

Then on Friday night the family made the agonising decision to turn off his life support.

Joseph's father, Richard Barrett has spoken about the horrific moment when he ran over his son.

Mr Barrett was getting ready to go fishing with friends on November 21.

"I jumped in my truck just to turn it around. I checked to see where the boys were and they were in the garage, and as I put it in reverse I saw one of my friends behind me - he was doing hand signals and I didn't know what he was doing."

Joseph had been on the passenger side of the 4WD and was run over.

Mr Barrett said his friend was devastated.

"He saw everything, he's a mess, worse than me, and he said he's had to relive it several times through talking to the police and everything."

Mr Barrett picked up his injured son, got in the friend's car and they went straight to Gisborne Hospital.

Joseph was later airlifted to Starship Hospital where he died on Friday.

But Mr Barrett said he felt Joseph died in Gisborne.

"I knew he'd already gone. I saw what I saw on the way to Gisborne Hospital. He was born in Gisborne and he died in Gisborne.

I know my children, I basically watched his soul leave his body on the way to the hospital. It was like being in a dream."

His wife Stacey was taking it very hard, he said.

"She's like a beautiful mother should be. Joseph took after his mum...

When the couple got home on Friday night with Joseph's body they discovered the furniture in their house had all been turned around to help ease the memories.

"It energised us and we were overwhelmed. This is the level of friendship we share with people in Gisborne. The whole garage was filled up with beer and food, and the food just keeps on coming."

The Barretts said the "unbelievable amount of support" had been like a cushion that has helped take the impact of a terrible situation.

Joseph's funeral is on Wednesday.

- NZPA