Police dismayed that day after unrestrained baby dies Hamilton mother puts her own child at risk
Wednesday, 21 May 2014 - 2:20pm
Waitemata
Gutted, that's the only way one senior Police officer can describe reports today about a woman breast feeding a baby
while a front seat passenger in a car travelling in Hamilton, the day after another baby died after not being
restrained.
In thanking members of the public for reporting the baby being put at risk, Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector
Freda Grace, said it was reassuring that other motorists shared the Police's concerns.
"Today's call came in at 11.43am relating to a Mazda Familia being driven by one woman who had another in the front
passenger seat breast feeding an unrestrained baby in her lap at the Base in Te Rapa.
"A Police foot patrol tried to get to the vehicle before it left but the driver had gone and units are currently working
to locate and stop the car."
Mrs Grace said to hear of such an incident the day after a baby girl died following a crash in the King Country on
Monday where she was travelling unrestrained in her mother's lap was a bitter disappointment and she called on all
motorists to reflect on their driving behaviour.
"12-week-old Alexandria Grace NAVACILLA of Taumarunui died in Auckland's Starship Hospital yesterday morning after
suffering critical injuries in a crash on SH4 near Aria.
"To now hear yesterday's loss hasn't deterred other parents or motorists travelling around with unsecured children in
their cars reinforces why Police will be running checkpoints throughout the week checking car restraints as just one
part of the Road Safety Week campaign."
Mrs Grace said if one tragedy wasn't enough, Serious Crash Unit investigators are also investigating another fatality
from Monday, the death of a woman on SH3 south of Ohaupo shortly before 6pm.
"In this crash the north bound yellow Mazda car driven by 22-year-old Hamilton woman, Beant KAUR, has crossed the
centreline and collided first with one south bound car then three other vehicles, including a truck, near the
intersection with McFall Rd.
"In expressing our sympathies to both families for their loss Police are urging other motorists to make every day a road
safety day and ensure they are doing all they can to make Waikato roads a safe place to travel."
End