School mourns Gurshabad Singh as investigations continue into van tragedy
The school attended by an 8-year-old boy who died tragically last week says it is devastated and is supporting the grieving family.
Gurshabad Singh died on May 25 after he escaped a school van unnoticed and drowned in a backyard pool, just 15 minutes from his West Auckland home.
Police launched an investigation into his death the following day; the coroner and Ministry of Education are also making inquiries.
Remembering Gurshabad as a “dearly loved student”, the school said he had been with them for three years.
“He was an incredibly curious, joyous and mischievous young man who was well-loved by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.”
The school said Gurshabad would be “incredibly missed” by a community still trying to come to terms with a loss that had come as a “huge shock”.
Gurshabad’s parents told the Herald their only son, who was on the autism spectrum, was “full of life” and happy in his own world.
“He would hide things outside so if something was missing we always knew to check outside first,” his mother said.
“He would look at me and grin and run away. He was in his own fantasy world, but he was happy.”
His 10-year-old sister fondly recalled helping him get ready in the mornings, saying he was always “so happy and smiley”.
The family made a trip to Wellington the weekend before he died, memories they said they will cherish forever.
“The whole way from Auckland to Wellington he was happy, dancing in the car, looking outside and getting excited.”
Gurshabad’s body was found at a property on Paton Ave in Te Atatū South.
His parents saidpolice told them the driver had been unaware for several minutes that their son had left the van.
“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.
Ritchies Transport, which operates the school service under contract to the Ministry of Education, said it could not comment while investigations were under way.
The ministry provides specialised transport for children with specific needs through its Specialised School Transport Assistance scheme.
Gurshabad’s parents want the ministry to require two adults to be present in every van carrying autistic children.
“We’re not blaming anyone but we want the community and parents to know,” they said.
WorkSafe said last week it was aware of the incident but had not launched an investigation, and would decide on any further action once the facts had been established.
Police said the death had been referred to the coroner.