Girl, four, dies in front of her family in 'horrific' accident with a rugby scrum machine while she played at a park
- Preschooler died in accident involving a rugby scrum machine at Auckland park
- Emergency services were called to the scene at 6.35pm following the death
- Councillor Daniel Newman said the tragedy was a 'devastating gut-punch'
- Details around the death are unknown and matter will be referred to the coroner
A young girl has died in front of her family after a horrific rugby scrum machine incident while she was playing at a park.
Emergency services were called to the Manurewa Rugby Club in South Auckland, New Zealand at 6.35pm on Thursday following the tragic incident.
Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman told NZ Herald details around the death were still unknown.
A young girl has died in front of her family after a rugby scrum machine crushed the four-year-old (Manurewa Rugby Club, pictured)
Emergency services were called to the Manurewa Rugby Club in South Auckland, New Zealand (pictured) at 6.35pm on Thursday following the tragic incident
'As the Auckland Councillor for this community and as someone who has spent years supporting the roll-out of sport and recreation at Mountfort Park, tonight's incident is a devastating gut-punch,' he said.
A witness told Stuff kids were sent screaming and running to the scrum machine at the time of the incident.
'I made my way to her [the girl], there was enough helpers around doing CPR and on the phone - I was just calming the dad,' the woman said.
'Her brother and sisters are more affected, I felt so sorry for them.'
The councillor said a touch module was being run at the time as part of a program to boost active sports in the community.
Police are not treating the death of the four-year-old as suspicious and the matter will be referred to the coroner.
Share this article
'Club members are cooperating with the police to assist their inquiry,' Mr Newman said.
Victim support continues to assist the girl's family, who were at the park at the time.
The niece of former All Black hooker Keven Mealamu had been killed in similar circumstances in 2009.
Following the incident, Mealamu said at the time the cushioned pads of the scrum machine had been removed.
The scrum machine had also been tipped up on an angle.
'I think some of the young teenage boys might have left the sports equipment standing up, which it shouldn't have been,' he said.
The niece of former All Black hooker Keven Mealamu had been killed in similar circumstances in 2009 (stock photo)
