A community is in mourning after a car crashed through a fence, killing a schoolboy and seriously injuring four other children.
A 40-year-old woman had just picked up her child from Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s east on Tuesday when the incident occurred.
As she attempted to perform a U-turn, the car crashed through the school’s gate and crashed into a group of children sitting at a table.
It is understood a driver suffered a medical episode before plowing through the fence
An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured in the crash and died on the way to hospital.
Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Three of the children were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital and two to Monash Medical Centre.
The driver, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by detectives.
However, no charges were filed and she was released overnight pending further investigations.
The woman and child in the car were not injured.
Detectives worked late into the evening to investigate the circumstances of the crash, which Inspector Craig McEvoy said appeared to be a ‘tragic accident’.
An 11-year-old boy has died after a car hit a table where five children were sitting at a school
It is understood the driver suffered a medical episode before plowing through the fence of Auburn South Primary School on Tooronga Road on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s really tough for everyone involved, from the community, the school community, locals, first responders, ambulances and police,” he said.
“These events are always difficult when there are deaths and serious injuries, but especially difficult when children are involved.”
The car had a green P-plate, but Insp McEvoy said he was unsure of the woman’s licensing status.
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan offered her condolences and said the incident cast a “dark shadow”, while opposition leader and local MP John Pesutto said it was a “painful shock”.
A local business owner, Guy, said he rushed to the “chaotic” scene to provide assistance.
“There were a few kids who were very scared, not themselves,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.