Girl, 9, dies after being struck by car in Werribee, south west Melbourne
Nine-year-old girl is hit by a car and dies in Melbourne
- Aluel Ajak murdered in Werribee, South West Melbourne
- Nine-year-old girl was hit by a car on Shaws Road
A nine-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car in southwest Melbourne is remembered by loved ones as ‘beautiful’ and ‘brave’.
Aluel Ajak was hit by a driver at about 9.15pm on Wednesday on Shaws Road in Werribee, 20 miles southwest of Melbourne’s CBD.
The nine-year-old, who was non-verbal and had autism, ran into the road after removing the screen window in her mother’s bedroom and escaped.
Her mother, Atit Deng, said her daughter did not understand the danger of the road and had run on it several times.
Despite the best efforts of attending paramedics, Aluel died at the scene.
Aluel Ajak, 9, was hit by a car at about 9.15pm on Wednesday on Shaws Road in Werribee, 20 miles southwest of Melbourne’s CBD (pictured is Alue with her mother Atit)
The nine-year-old, who was non-verbal and had autism, ran into the road after removing the fly screen window in her mother’s bedroom
Ms. Deng had put locks on the doors to prevent her daughter from escaping after the little girl ran into the road about a year ago.
“I forgot that Aluel can jump out the window because she did it last year and she didn’t do it again,” she told the Announce sun.
The grief-stricken mother of four struggles to process the loss.
Ms. Deng said Aluel had been her saving grace in countless difficult times as a single mother, despite her difficulties communicating with her family.
Koni, Aluel’s older sister, said her “brave” sister loved jumping on the trampoline.
“(She was) someone who was very brave, I never saw her scared,” she said.
Ambulance personnel tried to save the girl, but she died on the spot. The police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident (photo, police on scene)
The woman driving the car stopped to help and assist with police investigations.
Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit will investigate how the crash could have happened and will remain on site on Thursday.
Local residents have left flowers at the intersection of Shaws Road and Glenda Street.
Anyone with information, witness to the collision, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.