Officials to decide on inquiry into child's death

Keven Mealamu. Photo / Getty Images

The Department of Labour will decide today if the death of All Black Keven Mealamu's niece at a family touch tournament was a workplace accident, and if an investigation needs to be held.

Christina Mealamu, 6 - daughter of Keven's brother Luke and his wife Lasi - was crushed by a scrum machine on the Tamaki College grounds in Glen Innes, Auckland, about 2.30pm on Saturday.

A 3-year-old, believed to be Christina's brother Phoenix, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Middlemore Hospital. He was discharged later that day, a spokeswoman said.

Labour Department spokesman Rowan Saker said several people had been interviewed as part of a preliminary inquiry into the tragedy.

It would be decided today whether a full investigation into the death would be held.

A police spokesman said the death had been handed to the coroner.

Friends and family left tributes to the youngster on the social networking site Bebo yesterday.

To her grandparents, Tise and Luka Mealamu, Alani wrote: "Our never-ending love and prayers are with you all during this time of sadness, may God take and keep her in his house forever and may she rest in eternal peace."

On Christina's aunty Kaisalina Mealamu's page, the Placid family wrote: "So sorry to hear about your niece. Please know your aiga [family] is in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Take care. Love to the aiga."

Tamaki College principal Soana Pamaka has said the school was carrying out its own investigation into the accident. The incident is believed to have happened during an annual touch tournament organised by a group of families and friends who had shifted from Tokoroa to Auckland.