The principal of a Melbourne school at the centre of a tragic schoolyard crash has spoken of the local community’s “overwhelming” response to the accident that killed an 11-year-old boy and left four others injured.
Auburn South Primary School principal Marcus Wicher addressed media on Wednesday morning after Victoria Police confirmed they had released a 40-year-old woman without charge.
The school confirmed on Wednesday morning identified the boy who died on the way to hospital as grade 5 student Jack Davey.
Jack Davey, a grade 5 student as Auburn South Primary School, was killed in the collision. Source: Supplied / Supplied by Jack Davey’s family.
Reading from a statement, Wicher said the accident was a “complete tragedy” and said the school’s thoughts were with the family of the child who died and those whose children were injured.
He said the “courage and care” shown by staff and parents who responded following the crash on Tuesday afternoon “could only be described as remarkable”.
“The response from our local community has been overwhelming,” Wicher said. “And I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out with such generous offers of support”.
He described the school community as “wonderful and strong” and said “we will get through this”.
Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll (pictured) and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the school on Wednesday. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
How the tragic accident unfolded
The incident occurred after the 40-year-old woman had just collected her child from the school in Melbourne’s east.
As she tried to perform a U-turn, the car crashed through the school’s fence and into a group of children sitting at a table.
Davey suffered critical injuries in the crash and died on the way to the hospital.
Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Two children are receiving treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which has said they are in a stable condition. Two others were taken to Monash Medical Centre.
The incident occurred at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s east after the woman had just picked up her child from school. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT
‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she had not yet spoken to Davey’s family but said Wicher had a “really tough conversation” with his mother.
“It was a really tough conversation for the principal, and he relayed to [Deputy Premier] Ben [Carroll] and I just how strong the family is in the toughest of times,” Allan said. “And … he really did convey his appreciation for the messages of support that have already been coming into the school community.”
Appearing alongside Allan, Carroll, who is also state’s education minister, said the accident was “every parent’s worst nightmare”.
“One thing I have learned though over the past 12 months as minister for education is that when tragedy or difficult circumstances strike at the heart of a school, the school community gets around that school and does everything I can to support them,” Carroll said.
Caroll and Allan visited Auburn South Primary School on Wednesday, and said 25 teachers from neighbouring schools would be there to provide support to the school community. Chaplaincy and counselling services were also in place.
The driver at the centre of the crash has been released. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Detectives worked into the evening on Tuesday to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Victoria Police inspector Craig McEvoy said it appeared to be a “tragic accident”.
The driver, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by detectives.
However, no charges were laid, and she was released overnight pending further inquiries.
The woman and child in the car were not injured.
With reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
