Mystery surrounds logging truck which struck girl

Police outside Mount Maunganui College where Breeze Brunton was hit by a logging truck as she prepared to cross the road. Photo / BOP Times

Mystery still surrounds the driver of a logging truck that struck and killed a 13-year-old girl outside Mount Maunganui College yesterday.

Breeze Brunton of Welcome Bay, Tauranga, was clipped by a logging truck while crossing the road to the college yesterday.

The accident happened on the busy Maunganui Rd.

The logging truck did not stop but police said it was possible that the driver may have been unaware he had hit the girl.

Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said police had still not been able to find the driver.

The company which owned the logging truck was unknown as well, he said.

Mr Campion said police were following a number of leads.

Police are asking truck drivers who were on Maunganui Rd between 7.45am and 8.15am to come forward.

In the wake of the tragedy police are reminding people that it is safer to drop children off on the same side of the road as schools.

The girl had been dropped off near the college and was struck by the truck as she crossed the road.

Mount Maunganui College principal Terry Collett said speeding vehicles outside the college had always been a problem.

The school has been fighting to have the 70km/h speed limit outside on the busy road reduced to 50km/h.

"Several times we have applied to the council to have this reduced and we get told because there are no houses on the other side of the road they can't reduce it."

On Friday a busload of students and staff will go to Pikitu marae in South Waikato to pay respects to Breeze. The funeral is on Saturday.

- NZPA