Family of woman who crashed into the Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne leaving an 11-year-old boy dead break their silence over the tragedy
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, has broken their silence following the horror incident.
The tragedy unfolded at Auburn South Primary School just after 2.30pm on Tuesday when a white SUV travelling on Burgess St left the road and crashed through the school fence, hitting 11-year-old Jack Davey and his friends.
Paramedics rushed a critically injured Jack to hospital where he later died.
Three girls – two aged 11 and one aged 10 – as well as a 10-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Victoria Police arrested the 40-year-old woman who drove the SUV on Tuesday afternoon.
She suffered a broken nose in the accident and has since been released pending further inquiries.
The woman’s family on Friday afternoon shared their condolences to those impacted 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 when a car ploughed through his Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday
The family of the woman who crashed into a Melbourne primary school, killing one child and injuring four others, has broken their silence following the horror incident
‘We are all in shock, wishing this was just a bad dream, but sadly this is our reality.
‘To Jack’s family, we can only offer our heartfelt condolences; our hearts go out to you and to every family affected by this loss.
‘To those injured, may you heal quickly – God bless you all.
‘As a family with children, we feel this grief profoundly, sharing in the pain others now carry. It’s not about the words we say, but the genuine sorrow held within our hearts.
‘May God watch over everyone and provide strength and comfort to those who are suffering.
‘We thank the school staff and emergency workers who responded.
‘We have assisted with the investigation and please ask for privacy while we come to terms with such an overwhelming tragedy.’
It’s understood Jack was sitting with classmates on Tuesday afternoon when the Toyota SUV crashed through the school fence as the woman attempted a U-turn.
Her passenger, a primary school aged 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 performing the U-turn.
The parents of Jack Davey delivered a moving tribute to their son outside the school on Thursday
It comes as the parents of Jack Davey delivered a moving tribute to their ‘champion’ boy following his tragic death in Tuesday’s horrific crash at Auburn South Primary School.
Father Michael Davey, standing with Jack’s mother Jayde outside the school in eastern Melbourne, said the family were ‘overwhelmed’ by the support they had received following the crash.
‘Words can’t adequately describe the utter devastation we feel as we come to terms with the sudden, overwhelming loss of our Jack,’ he said on Thursday.
‘Son, brother and friend to many.
‘We find comfort in reading the many messages and memories of Jack, and how his life and energy was a positive influence on so many in the community at just 11 years old.
‘Personally, he is our champion. He is our beloved son and brother who remains very much alive in our hearts and memories as we piece together our lives with his spirit going forward.’
Mr Davey said the actions of the hospital staff would ‘never be forgotten’ by his family.
‘We extend thanks to the unbelievable staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital who did their job so amazingly,’ he said.
‘Providing Jack with life and sustaining his life as long as they could.
Jack was killed on Tuesday when a car ploughed through his Auburn South primary school
‘Their compassion and humanity in our darkest hour will never be forgotten.’
He thanked the broader school community and the actions of the first responders.
‘We wish to thank Auburn South Primary School. Marcus, all the teachers, students, parents, and the parents association. We are overwhelmed,’ he said.
‘The first responders, paramedics, the police and the public, who assisted in the immediate aftermath of the accident and who fought tirelessly to save Jack’s precious life. We can never be grateful enough.’
Mr Davey also praised the school’s receptionist who stayed with Jack after the crash and comforted him ‘the entire 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, state and nation.
Many people, including Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, could be seen laying tributes 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) horrendous, a horrible accident, and we will work through the usual processes, primarily the state government but we will work through the usual processes to respond to make sure that kids can be as safe as they can be in communities like this one.’
The tragedy struck the Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s Hawthorn East
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said messages of support had poured into the east Melbourne community from every part of the state.
‘We’ve seen the very best of Victorians, as this tragedy has touched every corner of our state, every community,’ she said.
‘There has been messages of support that have come from every community and every corner of our state, and I want to thank Victorians for that.
‘Speaking to the principal … they are feeling that support, they are feeling that love, and they’re going to need to continue to have that love and support over the coming days, weeks and months ahead because this will be a long journey as the school works through the aftermath and the impact of this tragedy that has hit their school on what should have been a normal Tuesday afternoon.’
