Grangefields, Melbourne dirt bike crash: Tragic cousins Ali Elhouli, 17, and Zena, 18, farewelled in massive send-off

Two cousins ​​who died in a tragic dirt bike accident during a Father’s Day party at their uncle’s house have been said goodbye by more than a thousand mourners.

Ali Elhouli, 17, and Zena Houli, 18, died at about 6:35pm on Sunday following an off-road motorcycle crash at their family’s property on Beattys Rd in Grangefields, Melbourne’s northwest.

Mourners poured into the Australian Islamic Center in Newport, just west of Melbourne, to pay their respects to the teens.

Fatima Elhouli is pictured with her brother Ali, 17, who died in a dirt bike accident in Grangefields, Melbourne’s west, on Sunday night

Zena’s injured father Ali, 43, was driven into service for his daughter and cousin

Two women hugged in a parking lot before entering the Australian Islamic Center on Thursday

Two women sat on a bench nearby before the memorial service for Ali, 17, and Zena, 18, began

Police say the exact circumstances of the collision are not yet known

A group of women dressed in traditional Muslim garb were seen entering the service

The mourners ranged in age from the very young to the old, some dressed in traditional Islamic attire.

The couple was buried along the highway in Werribee, near where they grew up.

An uncle of the couple said the family were all deeply traumatized by the loss of their loved ones.

Police say they are still trying to determine the cause of the accident as the family is ‘not cooperating’, but detectives have determined that the bikes were not registered.

Relatives told Monday how Zena, from Altona Meadows, died almost instantly – as relatives rushed to the accident scene after hearing the crash.

Ali, from Hoppers Crossing, was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

Two young boys aged 11 and 6 were also involved in the accident.

They were taken to hospital in critical conditions but are now stable. It is clear that they each suffered several broken bones.

Zena’s father, also called Ali, 43, was injured when he tried to reach the teens on a quad bike.

It is clear that he lost control of the motorcycle when he came close to the incident and was also injured.

He was also taken to hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lineham told Radio 3AW that a Father’s Day party was being held at the property at the time of the crash.

Mourners pour into the Australian Islamic Center in Newport on Thursday

Mourners gathered outside the Newport Mosque to say goodbye to the couple after they passed away on Sunday

Hundreds of mourners came to say goodbye to the teens

The funeral was attended by over a thousand mourners

Cousin Zena Houli, 18 (pictured) was also involved in the crash and died tragically at the scene

He said the Major Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the accident and the exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined, but police are aware the bikes were not registered.

“The family – members of the party – are not cooperating with the police, so the investigation continues, but we ask everyone to come forward.

“We don’t know how the two children were injured.

“It’s incredibly difficult for the police to do their job if people don’t want to provide the details.”

Sergeant Lineham called on anyone who witnessed the accident to contact police.

“We are appealing to the family to come forward, regardless of how they feel about the police,” he said.

The owner of the property and the uncle of the slain teens, Omar El Houli, told reporters the loss was “heartbreaking.”

“We drove down the road and got out.

It is clear that the two bikes were riding on private property before the incident. A man, 43, rode a quad bike to the scene of the accident but was also injured when he lost control of the vehicle.

Omar El Houli (pictured) said his nephew and niece were “good kids.”

Zena Elhouli is pictured in October 2022 when she passed her provisional driver’s license test

Tributes start pouring in online for the two teens. Pictured: Ali Elhouli (left)

Helmet parts were seen scattered along the road on Sunday night as officers investigated the crash

“My niece was dead on the floor and my nephew was also on the floor.

‘I wanted to see who they were, it was my farm. I saw the engines, I saw them, they were on the ground.

“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than what happened.”

Mr El Houli said the teens were family oriented and loved to spend time with their relatives.

“They just loved being happy, they loved being all together, they just enjoyed life,” he said.

“They are beautiful children with beautiful parents, it’s a shame what happened.

“They’re in heaven now, looking down on us.”

Meanwhile, online tributes are pouring in to the teens whose lives were tragically cut short.

“I love you Zena Houli,” one friend wrote.

“Forever 18 beautiful girl.”

“Fly high my angel.”

Jaz Haddara said she was so shocked by the news that she was at a loss for words.

Police have completed the initial investigation into the accident and reopened Beattys Rd on Monday morning

“I want to convey my condolences to Zena Houli, who went to school with my son,” she said.

‘What a good girl. Thoughts of the family.’

Another friend said, “Rest in peace now Ali.”

‘I will always love you.’

Any witnesses or anyone with dash cam, CCTV footage or information about the crash are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.