North Shore Baby Death Tragedy: Driver Returns to Scene to Mourn Baby

Facing a sleepless night ahead, the driver of a pickup truck that collided with an out of control stroller, later resulting in the death of a baby, packed some candles and returned to the scene just before midnight.

Sudhir Saksena said that the last 24 hours had been a nightmare; especially after discovering that the baby, who was rushed to hospital in critical condition, had later died.

“I did not sleep last night. Around 11pm until midnight, I went with some candles to light.

“I went with my wife and I sat on the road … and I cried.”

The 41-year-old was driving down Lake Rd in Northcote, on Auckland’s north shore, just before 9 a.m. yesterday when a stroller flew down a nearby driveway right in the path of his truck.

Saksena says there was no time to stop and the vehicle collided with the out-of-control stroller, sending the basket with a 5-month-old baby, understood to be a girl, across the street.

‘May your angel rest in peace’

In this morning’s scene, several colorful flower pots, bouquets and candles have been neatly placed in front of a power pole.

One of the gifts includes a handwritten note that has a picture of a small heart near the bottom.

“Offering our prayers and condolences to the family. May your little angel rest in peace,” says the note.

Two women who live nearby said they came home to see the aftermath yesterday morning, with police and emergency services lined up on the street not far from Exmouth Rd.

“It’s very, very sad,” said one woman.

Police confirmed that the Serious Accident Unit examined the scene. Authorities are also investigating the circumstances of what they described as a “tragic incident”.

The baby’s death will be referred to the coroner and those involved in the incident will also receive support.