Parents are being warned to be mindful of their children's safety after two toddlers, who were playing unattended inside a vehicle in Balclutha, moved the car and it ran over a 1-year-old girl.
The incident occurred about 5.30pm on Saturday when two girls, aged 3 and 4, got into an unlocked vehicle the keys of which had been left in the ignition.
Constable Graeme Ferguson, of Balclutha, said the pair either managed to move the gear lever or turn the key and the car moved forward on the sloping driveway.
The 1-year-old became trapped by a wheel and suffered internal injuries.
She was freed by her mother, who was in the house with other adults at the time, and received first-aid treatment from a neighbour, who was a nurse, Const Ferguson said.
An ambulance transported the girl to Clutha Health First before she was airlifted by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital.
She was understood to be "comfortable" in hospital last night, Const Ferguson said.
"I think it's a wake-up call for all parents to make sure their vehicles are secure and to be aware of where their children are. If they are outside, make sure there is someone with them."
In another incident on Saturday, a 3-year-old boy was taken to Dunedin Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after running out in front of a car in Mosgiel.
Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken, of Dunedin, said a female driver had turned into Graham St when the boy ran out in front of her car. The boy was knocked over and rolled under a stationary vehicle.
A St John southern communications spokesman said the boy did not have life-threatening injuries but was taken to hospital for observation.
Snr Sgt Aitken said police were satisfied the driver was not at fault.
Kidsafe New Zealand spokeswoman Ann Weaver said the incidents were a reminder "we do need to be vigilant around cars".
"Cars are dangerous for children, but children don't understand that, so it's up to adults to ensure children don't play around cars - and certainly not in cars," she said.
Having a fenced play area away from driveways was important, especially at this time of year, when warm weather meant more time spent outdoors.
DRIVEWAY SAFETY
• Always supervise children around vehicles.
• Separate play areas from driveways.
• A child is taken to hospital every two weeks with serious injuries caused by a vehicle on a private driveway. On average, a further five children are killed in the same way each year.
Source: Safekids New Zealand
