Shortland Street shocks fans with driveway incident

Many Shortland Street Facebook fans are outraged by last night’s storyline of a child being run over.

The New Zealand soap opera aired a storyline  about character Sarah Potts, played by Amanda Billing, accidentally running over her daughter Tilly  in the driveway.

Some comments on the fan page reflected on the issue, others were shocked.

Laura Garett’s Facebook page said “I felt sick!!! I have 2 daughters and found this really hard to watch”.

Thomasina Edwards’ Facebook page said “Do you guys realize how many families have had this happen for real? How do you think it is going to be for them?”

Other Facebook users believed it was good to address the issue.

Veisinia Mapa’s facebook page said “Thats what happens when you turn your back on your children and are too busy making up!! That you forget your children are the main priority here!!”

Lesley Kim Casey’s facebook page said “I think it is good they base their shows on these things to show awareness like last year with a teenage pregnancy.”

A response from Simon Bennett, producer of Shortland Street, said the aim was to raise awareness around the issue.

“While a story about a driveway accident involving a toddler is going to be confronting, we believe there is a positive value in raising awareness around the issue of safety for young children,” said Bennett.

Anthony Rola, Marketing and Communications Coordinator from MySafeKids said he could not comment on the show but anyone concerned should visit the their website.

According to MySafeKids, a child in New Zealand is admitted to hospital every two weeks from being hit on a  driveway.

The website advises parents  to count their children to make sure they are all secured, learn the blind spots, keep the cars locked, and  not let children play in the driveway.

The Shortland Street Facebook page posted today advising concerned people to visit the MySafeKids website.

Shortland Street airs from Monday to Friday at 7pm.