A pregnant carer has died after running in the path of a truck in an attempt to save an eight-year-old autistic boy.
The 27-year-old woman and the young boy were killed instantly when they were hit by the truck on the M1 Motorway around 5:30pm Sunday.
Authorities are unsure why the carer had stopped in a breakdown lane, but it’s believed the boy had a history of attempting to escape moving vehicles.
“What we do know yesterday was that a Tarago van was travelling south on the M1 at Cameron Park. They pulled into a breakdown bay,” Traffic and Highway Patrol acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said on Monday.
“The driver got out of the vehicle and opened the side door.
“At that stage, we believe an eight-year-old child has entered the roadway followed by a 27-year-old carer.
“Obviously both were killed, we believe instantly, when a pantech truck travelling south collided with both of those individuals.”
The boy is believed to be a ward of the state and cannot be identified.
A Family and Community Services spokeswoman released a short statement, saying: “The death of any child is a tragedy. The Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) was deeply saddened to hear about the death of a young boy and woman near Newcastle on Sunday.
“As this is currently a police investigation, FACS is unable to comment further.”
The 57-year-old truck driver was reportedly devastated by the accident and admitted to John Hunter Hospital for shock.
He also undertook mandatory blood and urine testing.
