Family remembers 8-year-old Gurshabad Singh who died after escaping school van

An eight-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool in West Auckland after leaving a school transport van unnoticed, prompting investigations by Police, the Coroner, WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education, Journalist Hanna Filmer from The New Zealand Herald has reported. 

Gurshabad Singh's body was found at a property on Paton Ave in Te Atatū South on Monday afternoon, about 15 minutes from his family's home in Rānui.

Police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death on Tuesday. The death has also been referred to the Coroner, while WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education are making inquiries into the incident. The ministry funds the specialised school transport service involved.

Gurshabad, who was on the autism spectrum, has been remembered by his family as a cheerful and energetic child.

“He was my 8-year-old little boy who loved life ... running around, very happy. He loved people”, Herald quoted his mother as saying.

His parents, who have asked not to be identified, described their son as "full of life" and content in his own world.

“He would hide things outside so if something was missing we always knew to check outside first”, Herald quoted his mother as saying

“He would look at me and grin and run away”.

“He was in his own fantasy world, but he was happy.”

Gurshabad was especially close to his 10-year-old sister, who said she enjoyed helping him get ready in the mornings and remembered him as always being “so happy and smiley”.

The family had recently returned from what would become their final trip together as a family of four.

“The whole way from Auckland to Wellington he was happy, dancing in the car, looking outside and getting excited.”

Following his death, family members travelled from overseas to support the grieving family, with his grandmother flying from India and other relatives arriving from Australia.

According to his parents, police told them the school van driver was unaware for several minutes that Gurshabad had left the vehicle.

“It was a long driveway but he is very quick. If he gets the opportunity he will escape - he was a very clever boy”, his mother said.

The school transport service is operated by Ritchies Transport under contract to the Ministry of Education through the Specialised School Transport Assistance (SESTA) programme, which provides transport for students with specific needs.

Ritchies Transport declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigations, Herald has reported.

Gurshabad's parents said they would like to see a requirement for two adults on vans transporting autistic children.

“We’re not blaming anyone but we want the community and parents to know”, they told Herald.

WorkSafe regional manager Brad Duggan confirmed the agency was aware of the incident but had not opened an investigation at this stage.

“What we can say is that work-related transport must be planned and managed so that risks are identified and controlled. This includes ensuring systems are in place to keep people safe when getting on and off vehicles, and that vulnerable people – including children – are properly accounted for," Herald quoted. 

Duggan said WorkSafe would determine any further action after establishing the facts.

The Ministry of Education expressed its condolences to those affected and said support had been provided through its Traumatic Incident team.

“Police are investigating the circumstances of this tragic incident on behalf of the Coroner, and WorkSafe is also involved. The Ministry will support these processes, and while they are underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Police confirmed the death had been referred to the Coroner.

Gurshabad's school, which his parents described as “very supportive”, has been approached for comment, Herald reported.