5yo's death rocks Northland community

  • 24/01/2016

Maungaturoto, the small Northland community where a five-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a milk tanker, is reeling in shock following the incident.

Tahu-Potiki Taituha, who died 100 metres from his home on Friday morning, is being remembered as a fun and happy child, and tributes have been flowing all weekend as the town comes to grips with the loss, Fairfax Media reports.

According to Northland Police, the boy is believed to have fallen off the pushbike he was riding on the footpath and under the wheels of the tanker.

Yesterday, residents paid their respects and placed flowers by the roadside where the incident occurred.

Tahu's body is now currently at the Otamatea Marae and is set to remain there for the duration of his tangi.

Local resident Trevor Brljevich told Fairfax everybody in the community was bearing the weight of the loss.

"It's affected a lot of people. I really feel sad for everybody involved, for the family and for the driver," he said.

Brljevich said a special prayer for Tahu's family had been held at St Mary's church last night.

There are reports the boys funeral will go ahead on Monday and police are investigating the incident.

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