The grieving parents of a 13-year-old girl who died after suffering an “unsurvivable head injury” in a fall on a school excursion at a New Zealand ice skating rink has shared her heartbreaking final words.
Christchurch schoolgirl Kymani Hiley-Hetaraka was critically injured when she fell while ice skating on a school excursion on July 31, her family said.
Haeata Community Campus confirmed a “serious accident” had occurred during the outing.
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Her family said she died “peacefully” in hospital surrounded by loved ones on Thursday.
Kymani’s parents Curtis Gwatkin and Maraea Hetaraka said the girl’s older sister was on the same school trip and witnessed the fall.
“(My daughter) said she saw (Kymani) go bum over head and was just lying there,” Gwatkin told the New Zealand Herald.
“She went over to her and picked her up … (Kymani) looked up at her, said ‘I love you’ and then went into full seizure mode.”
The parents were told students were given the option of wearing helmets but all refused.
They believe the safety measure should have been enforced.
“It should have been compulsory,” Gawtkin said.
“Why does my baby have to die for people to have to do something?”
Kymani was a “cherished daughter … adored granddaughter … loved niece, cousin, bestie and friend to all”, according to her obituary.
A celebration of life service was due to be held at Kymani’s school on Tuesday afternoon.
School principal Dr Peggy Burrows described Kymani as a “beloved member of the school community”.
“Return, take your place amongst the stars along with your ancestors,” Burrows said last week.
“Kymani was a vibrant and cherished ākonga who touched the lives of many with her kindness, aroha and beautiful spirit.
“It is important at this time that we support each other and take care of each other.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hilley-Hetaraka whānau at this time.”
Counselling is on offer for affected students.