Toddler Aurora Ellis’ driveway death prompts probe into possible reverse camera subsidy scheme

Emily Baker and Michael TraillThe West Australian
VideoThe heartbroken mum and dad of a toddler who died after being run over in a tragic driveway accident at her Bayswater home have spoken of their pain, saying ‘every day is a battle just to breathe’.

The Road Safety Commission is investigating the potential roll-out of a subsidy scheme that would retrofit WA cars with rear-view reverse cameras following the death of a 19-month-old Perth girl.

Aurora Ellis died at her family’s Bayswater home in June when she was accidentally struck by a car being driven by her mother.

Her parents Preston and Lara Ellis have since been campaigning for “Aurora’s law”.

Under their proposed law, all cars in WA would required to be fitted with reverse sensor motions.

Camera IconAurora Ellis with mother Lara. Credit: Flashpoint/Supplied
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Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner however threw cold water on the idea but said his agency would investigate rear-view reverse cameras being subsided to enhance driveway and road safety across the State.

“We don’t think sensors are part of that solution but we are looking at cameras,” he said.

In July, Mr and Mrs Ellis spoke of their anguish over the driveway tragedy.

“I was reversing and she was there ... and I didn’t even see her. I didn’t see her and then, she’s gone and our family will never be the same, ever,” Mrs Ellis said.

“We will always be broken, we will never be whole again. Ever. Ever.”

Mr Ellis said he was cooking dinner when, unknown to him, Aurora wandered out onto the driveway where she was accidentally struck by Mrs Ellis’ car after she returned from the shops.

“I ran out and saw my wife holding our daughter and she was gone, and Lara was telling me to call an ambulance and help her so they can put her back together and fix her … she was just too broken to be fixed … our perfect little life was over,” she said.

Camera IconAurora was described as “an absolute barrel of mischief” by her dad. Credit: Flashpoint/Supplied

The Ellis’ believe if they had had reverse sensors on their car their “little lady” would still be alive.

“We’ve got pool gates, we’ve got so many other things, we’ve got airbags in our cars. We’ve got everything helping us, protecting us.

“But the one thing that could have protected our child, it wasn’t even in my thoughts.”

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