A 70-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter by negligence for the death of an eight-year-old boy, whom he allegedly ran over with his van while reversing at a bush allotment in Veitongo on Tuesday, July 25.

The accident took place at around 5:00pm when three young boys, including the victim ran after the van.

The driver was reversing and the boys were trying to climb over the rear end of the open van. Two managed to climb up while the victim did not and fell down and was run over. It was reported that the driver only knew what happened when the boys yelled for him to stop, said a police spokesperson today.

The victim died shortly after being rushed to Vaiola Hospital.

Police investigation continues into the circumstances of this death.