Little boy dies in tragic single vehicle rollover

A LITTLE boy has lost his life in a tragic single vehicle rollover on a quiet rural road

Police investigating the fatal crash on Cheeney Rd southwest of Batchelor. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

A LITTLE boy has lost his life in a tragic crash on a quiet rural road in the early hours of Tuesday.

The five-year-old boy was in a 4WD being driven southbound by his father, aged 27, when the car veered off Cheeney Rd, Stapleton and rolled, ejecting the boy from the car.

The young father, was able to free himself from the upturned crumpled 4WD.

He called out for help, until a resident on the rural street just south of Batchelor came to their aid.

A five-year-old boy was killed. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

Police were notified of the rollover at 5.45am but Major Crash Unit Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said the crash could have happened hours earlier.

The road was closed on Tuesday as investigators worked to piece together what happened.

A children’s book, clothing and power tools were strewn across the road, flung from the car during the crash.

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“Our initial indication is that the crash has occurred some hours before the witnesses have arrived at the scene,” Sen Sgt Lindner said.

Several nearby residents came to the aid of the father and son until Batchelor police, medical staff and fireys could attend.

The man was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital by St John Ambulance paramedics for treatment.

Major Crash Unit officers were at the scene. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

The full extent of his injures were not disclosed but it’s understood he had several broken bones.

Sen Sgt Lindner said the man was distraught.

“He’s undergoing treatment in hospital and he’s dealing with the death of his son and it will be a tragic set of circumstances to deal with for his family and the witnesses who came across the car in the morning,” he said.

Police have spoken with the man’s extended family, who went to Royal Darwin Hospital to support the man.

Sen Sgt Linder said the man was a resident of Adelaide River and the boy, “I believe he was residing at a number of residences given the family situation”.

“For reasons we are yet to determine the vehicle has left the road rolled and consequently a five year old boy was tragically ejected and killed,” he said.

“It’s too early to indicate why that vehicle has crashed.”

The road was closed in both directions on Tuesday on either side of the crash to allow investigators space to work.

Sen Sgt Lindner said there was a child restraint in the car.

“The child restraint was in the vehicle, whether the restraint was correctly fitted is an inquiry that will be investigated,” he said.

This is the 20th death on Territory roads this year.

It follows the two fatal crashes just a fortnight ago which claimed the lives of Trish Bartlett and Brett Harris.

Sen Sgt Lindner urged drivers to slow down and drive to conditions.

“All deaths on our roads are tragic particularly when a child has been killed,” he said.

“Twenty fatalities is still far too many and people are needlessly dying on our roads and ignoring the fatal five.”

The fatal five are drink or drug driving, not wearing seat belts, tiredness, speed and inattention.