KEY POINTS:
Police have released the name of a toddler fatally injured after reportedly falling from a digger in the central North Island yesterday.
Kotua Geordie Reid, aged 16 months, died from head injuries in the incident at Tetoki Road, Broadlands, 33km northeast of Taupo.
Initial reports said the boy was crushed under the digger but it is now believed the machine was not operating.
Kotua's parents picked him up and drove to seek medical help.
They were met by an ambulance which took him to Rotorua Hospital but he was already dead.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said a scene examination had been completed and the digger removed to Taupo for further testing. Police inquiries were continuing.
Department of Labour Bay of Plenty service manager Murray Thompson said he understood the site was not a place of work and the investigation was therefore one for police and not the department.
- NZPA
