The boy who was killed when a car drove through the gate of a primary school has been identified.
Jack Davey, 11, suffered critical injuries when he was struck by the Toyota SUV while sitting on a bench outside Auburn South Primary School, in Melbourne’s east, on Tuesday afternoon.
A 40-year-old woman had just picked up her child from Hawthorn East school and was making a U-turn when it became clear she had suffered a medical episode before plowing through the fence.
Jack tragically died on the way to the hospital. Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were also seriously injured and remain in hospital.
Jack was a much-loved teammate at the Glen Iris Junior Football Club under 11s.
“Auburn South Primary School is an important part of our Glen Iris Junior Football Club community and we are devastated and deeply saddened by yesterday’s events,” Dave Barnaby, chairman of Glen Iris Junior Football Club and Gladiators Committee, told The Herald Sun.
“Our thoughts go out to the families directly affected, as well as all students at Auburn South Primary School, parents, teachers and other members of our community affected by this incident.
“We ask that the privacy of our community be respected during this difficult time.”
Jack Davey, 11, suffered critical injuries when he was struck by the Toyota SUV while sitting on a bench outside Auburn South Primary School, in Melbourne’s east, on Tuesday afternoon.
A 40-year-old woman had just picked up her child from school and was making a U-turn when it became clear she had suffered a medical episode before plowing through the fence
The Toyota SUV is seen with a damaged front bumper after crashing through the school gate
The driver of the SUV, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by detectives.
No charges were filed and she was released overnight pending further investigation.
The woman and her child in the car were not injured.
Auburn South Primary School principal Marcus Wicher spoke to the media outside the school on Wednesday morning, describing the incident as ‘a complete tragedy’.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to Jack’s family and friends, and our thoughts also go out to our four students who remain in hospital, and their families,” he said.
‘We are completely focused on the well-being of our students, staff and the wider school community.
“Our focus now is on supporting our school community: our children, families and staff.
“I ask that the media respect our privacy and give us the space to grieve and navigate this difficult time.”
Teachers and students left bouquets of flowers at the school on Wednesday morning.
Teachers and students left bouquets of flowers at the school on Wednesday morning
A student is seen leaving flowers at the accident site on Wednesday
A woman is seen delivering flowers to Auburn South Primary School
A classmate left some flowers at school after Tuesday’s tragedy
A mother of a boy at the school said the children were playing outside during recess when the car drove through the gate.
“They were all there and witnessed it,” Lucy said 3AW Ride through the tears on Tuesday.
“(My son) witnessed it and now he doesn’t want to go to school anymore.
“He’s trying to watch the news and find out what happened to his friends.”
Lucy said she received a text from the school telling her Burgess Street was closed, before hearing sirens and seeing several police cars.
“So I just raced over there and you saw all the parents running over there to make sure their kids were okay,” she said.
“Everyone hugged each other and supported each other.”
There’s more to come