Auckland (Avneet Kaur)
The family of an eight-year-old Auckland boy who died after leaving a school transport van has spoken publicly for the first time, remembering him as a cheerful, energetic child who brought happiness to everyone around him.
Gurshabad Singh, who was on the autism spectrum, died on Monday after reportedly leaving a school transport vehicle in West Auckland before later being found in a backyard swimming pool.
His death has prompted multiple inquiries, with Police, the Coroner, WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education all examining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Speaking about their son, Gurshabad’s parents described him as a loving and happy child who enjoyed being active, meeting people and exploring the world around him.
They said he was known for his playful nature and often surprised family members with his mischievous antics. Despite living in his own unique world, he was always cheerful and full of energy.
The young boy shared a close bond with his older sister, who helped care for him and enjoyed spending time with him each day.
Just days before the tragedy, the family had travelled together on a special trip, creating memories they now say will remain with them forever.
According to information provided to the family, Gurshabad managed to leave the school transport van without being noticed. His parents were told that several minutes passed before it became apparent that he was no longer inside the vehicle.
His body was later discovered at a residential property in Te Atatū South, around 15 minutes from the family’s home in Rānui.
The devastated family says their focus is not on assigning blame but on ensuring lessons are learned from the tragedy.
They are now calling for stronger safety measures for children with additional needs who use specialised school transport services. In particular, they believe vans carrying autistic children should have two adults present to help ensure children remain safe during transport.
The Ministry of Education, which funds specialised school transport services for eligible students, has expressed condolences to the family and says support is being provided to those affected.
WorkSafe confirmed it is aware of the incident but said no formal investigation has been launched at this stage. However, the agency stressed that organisations responsible for transporting people must have appropriate safety systems in place to identify and manage risks.
WorkSafe said this includes ensuring children and other vulnerable passengers are properly accounted for when getting on and off vehicles and that suitable measures exist to keep them safe throughout the journey.
The agency said it will decide on any further action once all the facts surrounding the incident have been established.
Meanwhile, family members from overseas have travelled to New Zealand to support Gurshabad’s parents and sister as they cope with the devastating loss.
As investigations continue, Gurshabad’s family says they want people to remember him not for the tragedy that took his life, but for the happiness he brought to those around him.
“He was always smiling, always happy,” his family recalled — memories they say will stay with them forever.
