Police driver unlikely to be charged

An investigation into an accident in which an off-duty police officer in a 4WD vehicle hit a Nelson schoolboy, causing serious injuries, is nearly finished and police say it recommends no charges be laid.

Joseph Cotton, 11, suffered critical head injuries, a bruised lung, bleeding in his liver and a broken arm in the accident, which occurred when he was hit crossing the road after he got off his school bus in Atawhai on August 19. He is still recovering in Wellington Hospital.

Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said the file would now be reviewed by an independent officer.

There has been talk the officer was on his cellphone at the time of the crash, but Mr McGurk said no evidence was found to support this.

The off-duty officer, his passenger and the bus driver all said the policeman was not using his cellphone at the time of the crash, he said.

Data from the cellphone's sim card would be obtained to check this was the case.

The officer was currently on leave that was planned before the accident, he said.

Mr McGurk said he had spoken with Joseph's father, the Rev Jeff Cotton, and had offered to let the family see the file on the accident and go over it with them.

The legal speed limit for passing a school bus on either side of the road is 20kmh.

Mr McGurk said reconstruction of the accident estimated the officer was driving at between 18 and 32kmh when the accident occurred.

Mr Cotton said it would be inappropriate to comment on the findings, as he had not seen the police file.

- © Fairfax NZ News