The family of the driver behind the wheel of a car that crashed into a Melbourne primary school, killing one child and injuring four others, have broken their silence following the horror incident.
The tragedy unfolded just after 2.30pm on Tuesday at Auburn South Primary School, when a white SUV traveling on Burgess St left the road and crashed through the school gate, hitting 11-year-old Jack Davey and his friends.
Paramedics rushed a seriously injured Jack to hospital, where he later died.
Three girls – two aged 11 and one aged 10 – and a 10-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Victoria police arrested the 40-year-old woman driving the SUV on Tuesday afternoon.
She suffered a broken nose in the accident and has since been released pending further investigation.
The woman’s family expressed their condolences on Friday afternoon to those affected by the crash.
“No words can truly convey the depth of this tragedy,” the family said in a statement released by Victoria Police.
Eleven-year-old Jack Davey was killed Tuesday when a car drove through his Auburn South Primary School
The family of the woman who crashed into a Melbourne primary school, killing one child and injuring four others, have broken their silence after the horror incident
“We are all in shock and wishing this was just a bad dream, but unfortunately this is our reality.
‘To Jack’s family we can only express our sincere condolences; Our thoughts go out to you and to all the families affected by this loss.
“To the injured: may you heal quickly – God bless you all.
‘As a family with children, we feel this sadness deeply and share in the pain that others are now carrying. It’s not about the words we say, but about the genuine sadness that lives in our hearts.
“May God watch over everyone and give strength and comfort to those who suffer.
“We thank the school staff and first responders who responded.
“We have assisted with the investigation and please ask for privacy as we come to terms with such an overwhelming tragedy.”
It’s understood Jack was sitting with classmates Tuesday afternoon when the Toyota SUV crashed through the school’s gate as the woman tried to turn around.
Her passenger, an elementary school-age child, was not injured.
The woman had just left the school after attending a two-hour meeting prior to the crash, but details about the meeting remain unclear, according to 7NEWS.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, including whether the woman suffered a medical episode while making the U-turn.
Jack Davey’s parents paid a moving tribute to their son outside the school on Thursday
It comes as Jack Davey’s parents paid a moving tribute to their ‘champion’ boy following his tragic death in Tuesday’s horrific crash at Auburn South Primary School.
Father Michael Davey, who stood outside the school in Melbourne’s east with Jack’s mother Jayde, said the family had been “overwhelmed” by the support they had received after the crash.
“Words cannot adequately describe the utter devastation we feel as we come to terms with the sudden, overwhelming loss of our Jack,” he said Thursday.
‘Son, brother and friend of many.
“We take comfort in reading Jack’s many messages and memories, and how his life and energy positively impacted so many in the community when he was just 11 years old.
“Personally, he is our champion. He is our beloved son and brother who remains alive and well in our hearts and memories as we craft our lives with his spirit for the future.”
Mr Davey said the actions of hospital staff will ‘never be forgotten’ by his family.
“We thank the incredible staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital who have done such a fantastic job,” he said.
‘Providing Jack with life and sustaining his life for as long as possible.
Jack was killed Tuesday when a car drove through his Auburn South elementary school
“Their compassion and humanity in our darkest hour will never be forgotten.”
He thanked the wider school community and the actions of first responders.
‘We would like to thank Auburn South Primary School. Marcus, all teachers, students, parents and the parent association. We are overwhelmed,” he said.
“The first responders, paramedics, police and members of the public who assisted in the immediate aftermath of the accident and fought tirelessly to save Jack’s precious life. We can never be grateful enough.’
Mr Davey also praised the school receptionist who stayed with Jack after the accident and comforted him ‘all the time’.
“Our words are inadequate,” he said.
Flowers, messages and a football were left outside Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East on Wednesday
The tragedy has shocked the community, the state and the nation.
Many people, including Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, were able to pay tribute outside the school on Wednesday.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said his heart broke for Jack’s family and the other children injured in the crash.
“We know how much that community is hurting, that school community is hurting,” Mr. Chalmers said.
‘(It’s) horrible, a horrible accident, and we will go through the usual processes, first and foremost the state government, but we will follow the usual processes to respond to ensure that children can be as safe as possible in communities like this one.”
The tragedy struck Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s Hawthorn East
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said messages of support were pouring into the East Melbourne community from all parts of the state.
“We have seen the very best of Victorians as this tragedy has touched every corner of our state and every community,” she said.
“There have been messages of support from every community and every corner of our state, and I want to thank Victorians for that.
“When I talk to the director… they feel that support, they feel that love, and they’re going to need that love and support in the days, weeks and months to come because this is going to be a long time. journey as the school works through the aftermath and impact of this tragedy that struck their school on what should have been a normal Tuesday afternoon.”