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Community mourns 11-year-old boy killed in Melbourne schoolyard crash; driver released

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Community mourns 11-year-old boy killed in Melbourne schoolyard crash; driver released

A local Melbourne community is in mourning after a car crashed into a fence, killing a schoolboy and seriously injuring four other children.
The 40-year-old woman had just picked up her child at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s east on Tuesday when the incident happened.
When she tried to turn around, the car crashed into a school fence and crashed into a group of children sitting at a table.
As a result of the accident, an 11-year-old boy was seriously injured and died on the way to the hospital.

Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Police investigate a crime scene near a school in Melbourne.

Victoria Police at a crime scene at Auburn South Primary School, Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East, in Melbourne. Source: AARP / JOEL CARRETT

The driver, from Hawthorne East, was arrested and questioned by detectives.

However, no charges were brought and she was released overnight pending further investigation.

The woman and child in the car were not injured.

“Tragic Accident”

Detectives worked into the evening to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, which Inspector Craig McAvoy said was a “tragic accident”.
“It’s really hard on everyone involved, from the community, the school community, local residents, first responders, ambulances and police,” he said.
“These events are always difficult when there is death and serious injury, but they are especially difficult when children are involved.”
The car had a green “P” plate, but McAvoy said he was unsure of the woman’s license status.

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan expressed her condolences, saying the incident cast a “dark shadow”, while Opposition leader and local MP John Pesutto said it was a “painful shock”.