'Little boy who loved life': Parents' tribute to son who died after escaping from school van

Author: Hannah Filmer,
Publish Date: Sun, 31 May 2026, 9:02am

On Monday afternoon, eight-year-old Gurshabad Singh’s parents received the call that shattered their lives.

Their only son had escaped a school van unnoticed and drowned in a West Auckland backyard pool, just 15 minutes from their Rānui home.

“He was my 8-year-old little boy who loved life ... running around, very happy. He loved people”, his devastated mother told the Herald, her voice quivering and breaking. Both parents have asked not to be identified.

A police investigation was launched on Tuesday into the death of Gurshabad, who was on the autism spectrum.

The coroner, WorkSafe and the Ministry of Education are also making inquiries. The ministry funds the school transport service.

In a sit-down interview with the Herald, Singh’s grieving parents described their son as “full of life” and happy in his own world.

The bereaved pair sat together on their family couch, reminiscing about his cheeky nature with their surviving child - Gurshabad’s beloved 10-year-old sister.

“He would hide things outside so if something was missing we always knew to check outside first”, his mother said.

“He would look at me and grin and run away”, she smiled as she reached her hand out to Gurshabad’s father.

“He was in his own fantasy world, but he was happy.”

Gurshabad was close to his sister, who told the Herald she loved to help get her brother ready in the mornings and that he was always “so happy and smiley”.

8-year-old Gurshabad Singh was dearly loved by his parents and sister, who want to remember him for his happy and cheeky nature. Photo / Alyse Wright

The Singh family took one final trip together as a family of four last weekend, which they will always cherish.

“The whole way from Auckland to Wellington he was happy, dancing in the car, looking outside and getting excited.”

When the family heard of his death, his grandmother flew immediately from India to be with them, and their sister and brother-in-law arrived from Australia.

Gurshabad’s body was found at a property on Paton Ave in Te Atatū South.

His parents said police told them the driver had been unaware for several minutes that their son had gone missing from the van.

“It was a long driveway but he is very quick. If he gets the opportunity he will escape - he was a very clever boy”, said his mother.

Ritchies Transport, which operates the school service, said they had no comment “given there are investigations underway”.

Ritchies was contracted by the ministry, which provides specialised transport to schools for children with specific needs under Specialised School Transport Assistance (SESTA).

Gurshabad’s parents would like the ministry to insist on two adults in every van if autistic children are on board, for safety.

“We’re not blaming anyone but we want the community and parents to know”, they told the Herald.

WorkSafe regional manager Brad Duggan confirmed WorkSafe was aware of the incident but had not launched an investigation at this stage.

“What we can say is that work-related transport must be planned and managed so that risks are identified and controlled. This includes ensuring systems are in place to keep people safe when getting on and off vehicles, and that vulnerable people – including children – are properly accounted for."

Duggan said WorkSafe will take appropriate action once it had established the facts.

The ministry told the Herald it extends its deepest condolences to the family, school and wider community and that the Traumatic Incident team had been working alongside those affected.

“Police are investigating the circumstances of this tragic incident on behalf of the Coroner, and WorkSafe is also involved. The Ministry will support these processes, and while they are underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Police told the Herald the death had been referred to the coroner.

Gurshabad’s school - which his parents said had been “very supportive” - has been approached for comment.