Toddler dies after fall from truck

Photo / File

A 2-year-old boy is dead after falling from the back of a truck on the East Coast today.

The incident happened on Phillips Road at Motu, between Gisborne and Opotiki, just before 4pm, northern ambulance shift manager Norm Ngatai said.

A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, but the boy died before it arrived, he said.

Police have confirmed they were called to a property by ambulance staff just after 5pm.

Central communications Inspector Ian Harris said few details were available about the incident.

"We've sent out our Serious Crash investigator and our photographer out there.''

It was not clear whether the boy had fallen from a stationary or moving truck, and whether the incident had occurred on the road or on a farm property.

No other injuries were reported from the incident, he said.