The family of an 18-month-old toddler who died in a tragic incident in Taupiri, near Hamilton, has claimed the boy sustained fatal head injuries due to a fall while playing, not a collision with a vehicle, Stuff has reported.
Dyey Vimalbhai Patel passed away on September 7 on a Te Putu St driveway. Police initially reported that Dyey’s death was “following a collision involving a car” and confirmed that investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
Shortly after the incident, Dyey’s aunt, Kalpana Patel, voiced frustration over the police's interpretation, stating, “He had a fall while playing.” She explained that Dyey was known for running rather than walking and that he had only one shoe on when he fell. Kalpana, who co-owns the Taupiri Dairy with her husband, insisted, “If the car had hit him, there would have been more injuries, but he only had a head injury, and there was no bleeding,” Stuff quoted her.
Dyey’s father, Vimal Patel, has also maintained that his son was not struck by a vehicle. “He had a fall,” Vimal told Stuff, mentioning that while he was nearby, he did not witness the fall itself, and security footage did not capture the moment Dyey fell.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Vimal shared that his family is coping as best as they can and that he is trying to stay strong for his daughter. “Of course I am going to miss my child, but we can’t do anything about it,” he expressed.
Kalpana noted the family’s recent move to New Zealand, with Vimal immigrating in 2023 and his wife and children joining earlier this year. In a Facebook post, the family thanked the Taupiri community for their support, with locals leaving floral tributes outside the Taupiri Dairy in memory of Dyey.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide additional details.