Two children have been struck by a vehicle in South Auckland this morning. Photo / Google Maps
A man has been charged after two sisters walking to school were mowed down by a vehicle that lost control on a South Auckland street this morning.
The girls, aged 8 and 10, suffered moderate injuries after they were hit in a residential street in Waiuku.
Counties Manukau Senior Sergeant Dave Readings said the children were walking along Hamilton Dr about 8am when a car lost control and mounted the footpath.
The children have been taken to hospital.
Staff at the school the girls attend are in shock after the crash.
"They are really lovely, sweet girls," said a View Road School administration worker.
"They were following the road rules.
"We're all in shock and just glad it wasn't worse.
"It's bad enough as it was but we're thankful they weren't killed."
School principal Chris Hull raced to comfort the injured sisters as soon as she heard about the crash.
"She told me one of the girls was in extreme pain," the school worker said.
The girls' grandmother was also believed to be walking with them when they were hit.
Police say family members are with the girls in hospital.
A 30-year-old Waiuku man has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing injury.
The Wellington to Picton ferry had a technical issue and was being towed back to port.