An Auckland couple is distressed after their autistic son was left in a school van for four hours before being dropped off at school. The Ministry of Education is demanding an explanation following this incident, which echoes a recent tragedy involving another child.

• 01The incident involved an 11-year-old autistic boy who is non-verbal.
• 02The boy was picked up by a Ritchies Transport-operated van at 8:20 AM.
• 03He was discovered four hours later, leading to parental distress.
• 04The Ministry of Education is urgently seeking answers regarding the incident.
• 05This event follows a recent drowning of another child who escaped a school van unnoticed.

This incident raises serious concerns about the safety protocols for transporting children with special needs.