Toddler dies after being run over by family 4WD at Tailem Bend

A toddler has died after being run over by the family car as her parents helped a friend move into a country home.

The 4WD is loaded on to the back of a tow truck. Picture: Tom Huntley

A toddler has died after being run over by the family car as her parents helped a friend move into a country home in the second such tragedy in South Australia in a week.

The 18-month old girl was hit by a silver Toyota Prado 4WD in the unsealed driveway of the High Street property at Tailem Bend, 96km south east of Adelaide, just after midday yesterday.

Last weekend another toddler was killed when he was run over by his family’s Toyota Prado in a back yard accident north of Adelaide.

Major Crash police are investigating both crashes, which authorities described as “tragic accidents”.

No charges have been laid over either crash.

Relatives yesterday rushed the girl to the Tailem Bend hospital with “life threatening” injuries just before 12.30pm.

Doctors and paramedics tried to stabilise for a flight to the Womens’ and Childrens’ Hosptial.

Police gather evidence at the scene of the tragedy. Photo: Tom Huntley.

Despite their “desperate efforts”, the toddler died at the Tailem Bend hospital a short time later, police said.

Speaking at the scene on the outskirts of the Murraylands township’s eastern fringes, relatives told the Sunday Mail how the family had been helping a friend move house.

The girl’s mother, who declined to be named but who was said to live locally, described her daughter as a loveable toddler but was too distressed to pay any further tribute.

A large group of people congregated outside the semi-detached maisonette and were seen hugging while some were overcome with emotion.

A pair of pink boots could be seen next to the silver 4WD, which police seized yesterday afternoon.

Major Crash investigators took photographs and measurements along the dirt road while detectives spoke with witnesses. They remained on scene last night.

The family of toddler TJ, who was killed last Saturday at Angle Vale, had launched a fundraiser to fund a funeral.

Originally published as Toddler dies after being run over by family 4WD at Tailem Bend