At Auburn South Primary School when a vehicle driven by a 40-year-old woman crashed into the school’s playground, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to four others. The accident, which occurred just after 2:30 pm on Tuesday, has left a lasting impact on the community and prompted responses from authorities, parents, and local leaders.
Emergency services were alerted to a distressing scene at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s inner east when a car crashed through the school’s fencing. According to Victoria Police, the driver, a 40-year-old woman, lost control while attempting a U-turn in her vehicle, subsequently crashing through a barrier and striking a table where five students were seated.
Police reports indicate that the driver had driven to the school to pick up a child, who was in the car at the time of the incident. Fortunately, neither the driver nor her child sustained any physical injuries.
The collision left one child, an 11-year-old boy, critically injured. Despite swift medical intervention, he later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Among the others injured were two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy, all of whom remain in the hospital with serious, though non-life-threatening, injuries.
Upon receiving the emergency call, a fleet of ambulances, police vehicles, and fire services quickly arrived at the school. The Victorian Ambulance Service, supported by police and paramedics, provided initial treatment at the scene before transporting the injured students to nearby hospitals. The event has taken a toll on first responders, who described the scene as one of “immense tragedy and heartbreak.”
Inspector Craig McEvoy of the Victoria Police spoke briefly at the scene, emphasizing the challenging nature of responding to incidents involving children. “It’s really tough. These events are always hard when there’s death and serious injury, but especially difficult when there’s children involved,” McEvoy said. He expressed sympathy for the school community and promised that police investigations would be thorough.
The driver was immediately taken into custody for questioning, though no charges have yet been filed. According to police, the woman, who had reportedly arrived at the school to collect her child, performed a U-turn before losing control and crashing through the school’s fence. While investigations are ongoing, initial statements from the police suggest it may have been an unintended accident.
Inspector McEvoy noted that investigations would explore all possible causes, including mechanical failure or medical issues that could have impaired the driver’s control. He added, “It appears it is a tragic accident,” though he assured the public that a full investigation would be conducted to determine the precise cause of the crash.
The tragic news has profoundly affected the Auburn South Primary School community. Parents, many of whom rushed to the school upon hearing the news, expressed shock and sorrow. One mother, known only as Lucy, spoke to 3AW radio, sharing her experience. She explained how she received a message from the school alerting parents of the situation, which led her to hurry to the campus.
“Everyone with their children was just hugging each other, just supporting each other,” Lucy said, describing the scene outside the school. “You could see all the parents racing down there to make sure they were OK.”
Lucy’s son, a friend of some of the injured children, was reportedly shaken by the event. “They were all out there and witnessed it happened,” she explained, underscoring the trauma felt by the students who were present.
Following the incident, Victoria’s Education Minister, Ben Carroll, publicly addressed the tragedy and confirmed that the Department of Education would provide immediate support to the Auburn South Primary School community. Carroll, via a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), assured the public that counselors and resources would be available to help students, staff, and parents cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
“I’ll be thinking of the whole school community in the days and weeks ahead,” he said, adding that mental health and grief support services would be prioritized. This commitment from the education department aims to help the school community process the tragic event and mitigate any lasting trauma.
A representative from the Department of Education also confirmed that they would be “working closely with school staff, students, and parents during this deeply distressing time.” She noted that ensuring emotional support for all affected individuals would be a primary focus over the coming days.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan addressed the incident with empathy and solidarity, stating, “Today should’ve been an unremarkable sunny Tuesday for the Auburn South Primary School community. Instead, a dark shadow has been cast over our city and state.” In her statement, she extended her condolences and expressed sympathy for the families affected, urging the state to come together in support of the grieving community.
In addition, Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who represents the local district of Hawthorn, shared his heartfelt sympathies. “My thoughts and sincerest condolences are with the local family who has lost a loved one today,” he stated, calling the tragedy a “painful shock” for the school’s close-knit community. Pesutto encouraged community members to support one another as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
As the community processes the events, questions about the cause of the crash linger. Police are meticulously examining potential mechanical failures, road conditions, and driver impairment factors to determine why the incident occurred. Inspector McEvoy mentioned that while preliminary observations suggest the incident was accidental, all possible scenarios are being considered.
Legal analysts have suggested that, should any negligence or oversight on the driver’s part be found, charges could follow. However, they emphasize the importance of a thorough investigation and support for the families and individuals affected by the tragedy.
