Toddler dies after being hit by car in driveway of Deception Bay home

A little boy who was turning one within weeks is the latest victim of a driveway tragedy in Queensland, after an accident north of Brisbane.

The boy’s grandmother (centre) and aunt (right) at the Deception Bay residence. Picture: Liam Kidston

A toddler just weeks from celebrating his first birthday was killed by a reversing car in his driveway north of Brisbane on Monday.

It is understood a male relative was driving the car when the boy was struck and killed on George St, Deception Bay, about 10am.

The child suffered critical head injuries and could not be saved by paramedics.

Paternal grandmother Carolyn Glenn said her son and the mother of the little boy had travelled with the ambulance to Redcliffe Hospital.

“I’m just numb,” Ms Glenn said.

“You see this stuff happen to other families, I can’t believe it’s happened to us.”

The boy’s aunt also was at the Deception Bay house.

“It was almost his first birthday, I just can’t believe it,” the aunt said.

The scene of the tragedy in Deception Bay. Picture: Liam Kidston

Flowers and a stuffed lion were placed on the driveway in tribute to the toddler.

Donna Lo Giudice was working nearby when she heard screaming.

“I thought it was just kids playing until I went for a walk outside,” she said.

“The screaming I heard has just broken me

“It was a really loud scream, which was hard to explain, then next minute there was silence then the police came a few minutes later.”

Miss Lo Giudice said she was devastated to discover a little boy had died.

“As I left, I saw the family outside. I wanted to stop and ask if they needed anything, as a mum myself I would be absolutely shattered and heartbroken,” she said.

The Queensland Family and Child Commission’s annual report Deaths of Children and Young People Queensland 2021-22 recorded 17 “low speed vehicle run-over” deaths over the previous five years.

The boy’s grandmother (right) with others at the scene in Deception Bay. Picture: Liam Kidston

Most deaths involved children aged under five. Of the 17 deaths, 82 per cent happened at the child’s home or the home of a person known to them.

The driver was nearly always a parent or other close relative.

The QFCC was involved in a public consultation process last year, led by the Federal Government, about introducing regulations to mandate reversing detection systems, like cameras, into new cars and trucks.

“Reversing aid technologies in vehicles such as cameras and proximity alerts have the potential to prevent run-overs,” the report found.

“The QFCC made a submission supporting the option which would mandate a new national road vehicle standard.

Tributes left at the scene of the accident. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The standard would require all new light and heavy vehicles to be fitted with devices for rear visibility and detection to improve a reversing driver’s awareness of persons located behind vehicles.

“The standard, if implemented, is expected to be introduced in phases in 2024 and 2026.”

Kidsafe says driveway fatalities are most common in the 12-24 month age brackets and more frequently involve boys than girls.

“Most drivers are aware of their car’s blind spots, but many popular cars have a blind space behind of more than 15m,” a Kidsafe driveway safety fact sheet says.

“Children move quickly. They can gain access to the driveway easily and dart out unseen into the path of a moving vehicle.”

A report on the Deception Bay child’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.

Originally published as Toddler dies after being hit by car in driveway of Deception Bay home