A council employee is being prosecuted over an incident in which a six-year-old girl died after she was run over by a mowing machine.

The man was mowing a patch of grass outside a primary school in Kampen when he reversed the machine, not realising the child was standing behind him.

The girl was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries she suffered when she fell under the machine, but died a few days later. Several other children witnessed the collision.

The operator of the mower was arrested after the incident in September, but the exact charge against him is unknown. The municipality in Kampen said he was fully trained and authorised to use the equipment.

Since the tragedy the local authority has introduced new regulations on grass cutting. Schools are given a day’s notice before grass is due to be mown, mowing machines have been equipped with rear view cameras and flashing lights, and the municipality has revised its training for machine operators.