Police are investigating a serious road incident on the North Shore.
Police went to the scene of a car crash in Stredwick Drive, Torbay, at about 3.40pm today, Thursday 15 February 2007.
On arrival they discovered a group of young girls lying injured on the footpath, after a Toyota Celica car driven by a 15 year old male had careered across the road out of control. The vehicle hit several of the group who were gathered on the footpath, about two metres from the roadway.
Seriously injured is a 3 year old girl who is currently in an induced coma and in critical condition in Starship Hospital. She has injuries to both her head and internal organs.
Three other girls received minor injuries including abrasions to their knees and abdomen. Two girls are aged eight years. One is aged five years. They were taken to North Shore Hospital but have since been released.
A 59 year old adult female who was supervising the group at the time of the incident has a lacerated shoulder and will remain in North Shore Hospital overnight for observation. Three ambulances were needed to transport the injured to both hospitals.
The group had just assembled at the footpath and were preparing to start their local paper deliveries. It was their first day. They were at their first letterbox. It was the first street of their delivery for the North Shore Times.
The adult female is the grandmother of one of the girls who was injured. A sister of the seriously injured victim was also among the group. However she was able to leap out of the way of the careering car and received minor abrasions.
The Serious Crash Unit is now investigating this incident. A forensic examination of the scene and the vehicle has already commenced. The vehicle has been impounded.
Police say during the incident the vehicle destroyed several picket fences, uprooted plants and narrowly missed a tree. Power and telephone connections to a few residents were affected.
The vehicle careered out of control for more than 50 metres before it eventually stopped. The driver of the vehicle is in North Shore hospital recovering from shock. He's expected to make a statement to Police.
Police describe the vehicle as being in poor condition, and say such a serious incident is indicative of what can happen when an inexperienced driver is also behind the wheel of a high powered vehicle.
Ends:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
12-14 Northcroft Street - Takapuna - Auckland
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308
Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz