The boy who was killed when a car crashed through the fence 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 at the Auburn South Primary School, in Melbourne‘s east, on Tuesday afternoon.
A 40-year-old woman had just collected her child from the school in Hawthorn East and was performing a U-turn when it’s understood she suffered a medical episode before ploughing through the fence.
Jack tragically died on the way to 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 beloved teammate in the under-11s Glen Iris Junior Football Club.
‘Auburn South Primary School is a significant part of our Glen Iris Junior Football Club community and we are devastated and deeply saddened by yesterday’s events,’ Glen Iris Junior Football Club and Gladiators Committee president Dave Barnaby told The Herald Sun.
‘Our hearts are with the families impacted directly, as well as all Auburn South Primary School students, parents, teachers and other members of our community affected by this incident.
‘We ask that the privacy of our community is 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 at the Auburn South Primary School, in Melbourne ‘s east, on Tuesday afternoon
A 40-year-old woman had just collected her child from the school and was performing a U-turn when it’s understood she suffered a medical episode before ploughing through the fence
The Toyota SUV is seen with a damaged front bumper after crashing through the school fence
The driver of the SUV, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by detectives.
No charges were laid and she was released overnight pending further inquiries.
The woman and her child in the car were not injured.
Auburn South Primary School Principal Marcus Wicher spoke to media outside the school on Wednesday morning and described the incident as ‘a complete tragedy’.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with Jack’s family and friends and our thoughts are also with our four students who remain in hospital, and their families,’ he said.
‘We are entirely focused on the welfare of our students, staff and broader school community.
‘Our focus is now on supporting our school community – our children, families and staff.
‘I request that the media respect our privacy and give us space to grieve and navigate this difficult period.’
Teachers and students were seen leaving bouquets of flowers behind at the school on Wednesday morning.
Teachers and students were seen leaving bouquets of flowers behind at the school on Wednesday morning
A student is seen leaving flowers at the scene of the accident on Wednesday
One woman is seen dropping off flowers at Auburn South Primary School
One schoolmate left some flowers at the school following Tuesday’s tragedy
A mother of one boy at the school said the children were playing outside during a break when the car careened through the fence.
‘They were all out there and witnessed it happen,’ Lucy told 3AW Drive in between tears on Tuesday.
‘(My son) witnessed it and now he doesn’t want to go to school.
‘He is trying to look at the news and uncover what’s happened to his friends.’
Lucy said she received a text from the school telling parents Burgess Street was closed before hearing sirens and seeing multiple police cars.
‘So I just raced down there and you could see all the parents racing down there to make sure their kids are OK,’ she said.
‘Everyone was just hugging each other and supporting each other.’
