Neighbourhood tragedy stuns Manurewa

Deborah Duggan was cleaning her Saab when the accident occurred. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A mother-of-two has died after a "freak accident" while cleaning her car.

Deborah Duggan, 56, spent almost two weeks in the high dependency unit at Auckland hospital after sustaining serious head injuries on October 24.

She died on November 5 and was farewelled by family, friends and her children Ryan and Rhiannon at a funeral service on Tuesday.

Police believe she accidently pushed the accelerator of her Saab, causing it to shoot across her South Auckland cul-de-sac and crash into a fence.

Constable Bayley Harvey, of Counties Manukau police said a neighbour saw the incident.

"He heard the car accelerating and saw her vehicle reversing out of the driveway and crash into the fence opposite," said Harvey.

"It is quite a freak accident, it's not something we would normally go to."

Harvey said the witness saw Duggan in the driver's seat but the door was open, causing her to partially fall out.

She said Duggan accidentally slammed her foot on to the accelerator when the car was in reverse, and the force of the acceleration was enough to override the handbrake.

A friend of 35 years, Grace Hooper, said she came home on the day of the accident to see her front fence destroyed and the police cleaning up the damage.

Friends had laid flowers and placed two hubcaps from the Saab at the fence as a memorial.

Hooper said Duggan had a very kind heart and would help anybody.

"She said life's too short to be angry or hold a grudge."

Another friend, Cindy Gibbons, had employed Duggan at her clothing shop for 14 years but said she was more than a colleague.

"She was part of my family and very much loved by myself and my whole family."

Gibbons said Duggan was a warm person who greeted people with a hug whoever they were.

On a recent trip to California to visit her son Ryan she spotted hotel heiress Nicky Hilton.

"Deborah introduced herself and gave her a big hug and a kiss."

Gibbons was shocked by the circumstances of her friend's death.

Duggan had always been a careful motorist who wouldn't drive on motorways or the Harbour Bridge.

She loved fashion, especially anything by Louis Vuitton, and beautiful perfumes.

Duggan's death is being investigated by the serious crash unit.

anna.rushworth@hos.co.nz