4-year-old Aldrich Viju, an Indian-origin boy has died after an 'accident' on playground equipment at his daycare centre in Auckland, New Zealand.
Police were called to Angels Childcare Centre just after 2pm on Friday (18th November) where they arrived to see staff visibly shaken from the accident.
The police have described Aldrich’s death as a likely accident on playground equipment.
Aldrich’s family is part of the tight-knit Malayali Indian community in Auckland and hundreds gathered at his home to mourn one of its ‘little angels’, reported.
Family friends who gathered to pay their last respects to little boy said Aldrich’s parents - Viju Vareed and Gisha Viju were devastated. The couple has a 2-year-old daughter and are expecting their third child in a few months.
Auckland Malayali Samajam Incorporated, a local charity, said the organisation's president and members of its executive committee visited the family's home to support them "in their ineffable grief and trauma".
The group also organised a special memorial service for little Aldrich Viju, it said in a Facebook post.
A private viewing of little angel Aadikkuttan (Aldrich) has been arranged from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at South Auckland Funeral Services Funeral Home.
Police have carried out a scene examination as well as spoken to those who were present with Viju at the childcare centre. The matter will now be referred to the coroner, police told the local media.
A WorkSafe spokesman confirmed it had been advised of the incident and was making "initial inquiries".
