The Courier Mail reports that the 18-month-old was at the entrance of the garage of the family home in Brassall on Monday when his father allegedly reversed his vehicle, leading the little boys death.
Mason’s father reportedly decided to move the vehicle from the garage and down the family’s steep driveway at the time of the tragic incident. It is believed Mason’s mother was in the shower at the time.
According to the ABC, Senior Sergeant Steve Riznyk explained that the toddler died on the scene.
On social media, family and friends posted touching tributes to the little boy.
“I cannot tell you how much the news of your baby boys (sic) accident yesterday has cut me,” a friend wrote on Facebook.
“I can’t begin to understand what you are going through right now. Absolutely shattered right now.”
"Fly high lil man,” another wrote.
According to a report from the Australian Government’s Department Of Infrastructure And Transport, 66 pedestrians between the ages of 0–14 years were hit and killed by a motor vehicle between 2001 and 2010.
The research found that 54 of those deaths occurred in a driveway.
Transport for NSW makes three recommendations to help avoid a driveway accident.
Firstly, children should be actively supervised by an adult holding their hand around driveways. Transport NSW also recommends treating the driveway “like a road” and to separate children’s play area from garages and driveways. Fences and high handles on garage doors can be effective design features. Thirdly, drivers are encouraged to reduce blind spots in their vehicles and install reversing sensors or cameras if needed.
You can learn more about driveway safety here.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to offer financial support the Wright family. You can donate here.
This article first published on Marie Claire.
