A Manurewa rugby community is grieving after the devastating death of a four-year-old in a rugby scrum machine only weeks before Christmas.
Emergency services were called to Mountfort Park, near Manurewa Rugby Club in Auckland, at 6:35pm on Thursday night after a four-year-old was killed.
Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman said the community was shattered by the "devastating gut punch".
"Obviously they are feeling it. We are looking to provide as much support as we can to that grieving family who have lost a little girl just before Christmas," he told Newshub.
"I don't think there is any way we can explain the impact on the family. This is devastating."
Mr Newman said he had spoken with leadership at the club, who were "devastated at what had occurred".
A police investigation into the accident is underway, but the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
Specific details of what happened are not yet known, but Mr Newman said he understood the park was being used at the time for a programme to encourage active sport.
"A touch module is run at Mountfort Park as part of a programme to encourage active sport; I understand the park was being used for that purpose at the time the accident took place," he said.
"Obviously we need to put into place any of the lessons which are learnt from this incident."
Victim Support is assisting the family of the young girl, whose death has been referred to the coroner.
Police have extended their heartfelt condolences to the family.
Newshub.
