CDRT Child deaths - low speed vehicle run-over fatalities of young children 2002-11

Over the 10 years from 2002 to 2011, 24 children under five years of age died in NSW after being run-over by a vehicle travelling at less than 10km/hour. These incidents are known as ‘low speed vehicle run-overs’. Typically, these incidents occurred at or near the family home, and involved a vehicle being driven by a family member or a person known to the child.

Information on non-fatal low speed vehicle run–overs is not regularly reported for NSW. However, in NSW in 2010/11, 15 children under five years of age were injured by a vehicle in a driveway, and were subsequently admitted to hospital.

The Team undertook a review of the circumstances of the deaths of the 24 children in order to improve understanding of why these incidents happened, and what might help to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This paper is adapted from information contained in the Team’s Annual Report 2011.