A 13-year-old boy has died after falling from the tray of a utility vehicle being driven on Galatea Road, in the rural area of Te Teko, Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Senior Constable Stephen Allen, Whakatane Police, said the boy was one of two people travelling on the back of a white Mitsubishi ute when he fell onto the road and died. The driver and another person were in the cab.
The boy’s name will not be released until family notifications have been completed.
Police and ambulance officers were called about 1pm and the road was closed for three hours to enable the Police Serious Crash Unit to undertake a scene examination.
The circumstances of what happened and how the boy fell are being investigated.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have observed the four door Mitsubishi Utility and its four occupants prior to the crash. Anyone who can help with information is encouraged to contact Senior Constable Stephen Allen of the Whakatäne Strategic Traffic Unit on 07 3082308.
No further information will be available tonight.
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Released by: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, Police National HQ,
Tel 04 460 2986 or 027 241 6305.
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