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This was published 7 years ago

Bourke Street chaos: 10-year-old girl Thalia Hakin killed in CBD carnage

By Tom Cowie and Goya Dmytryshchak
Updated

A 10-year-old girl killed in Friday's Bourke Street car rampage was a student at a private Jewish school in St Kilda East.

Thalia Hakin died on Friday after a driver allegedly sped through Bourke Street mall in a ramming attack that killed at least four and left dozens injured.

She attended Beth Rivkah Ladies College.

Her nine-year-old sister, Maggie, and mother, Nathalie, were also caught up in the horrific crush of pedestrians and are still in hospital. Nathalie remains in intensive care.

Thalia Hakin, 10, was one of five people killed when a car drove down Bourke Street Mall.

Thalia Hakin, 10, was one of five people killed when a car drove down Bourke Street Mall.

Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah Schools college principal, rabbi Yehoshua Smukler, said Thalia was a well-loved student and friend.

"Our hearts are broken at the tragic passing of Thalia," he said.

"Our deepest sympathies goes out to her family at this most difficult time.

"Our thoughts and Tefillos (prayers) are with all the victims, their families and friends.

"We are providing support and counselling to the school community and our students in dealing with this tragedy."

College Rabbi Yisroel Sufrin said Melbourne's Jewish community was devastated.

"We are obviously shocked," he said.

"We are in mourning. It's a young girl who's just finished year 4, about to start grade 5.

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"It's devastated not just her own classmates but all the girls that knew her in the school, the entire school body and the entire Jewish community.

"It really has hit very hard."

The Australian Jewish News named the victim of the ramming attack on Saturday night. The Age understands it was the family's wish not to run a picture of Thalia until Sabbath had ended. That period has now passed.

A leader in Melbourne's Jewish community said: "The community is in shock and devastated by this loss. We are praying for the little girl's mother and sister and for the other victims."

A crowdfunding page has been set up by Avi Yemini aiming to raise money for the family.

"Two little girls who came to class each week with bright and warm smiles," he wrote.

"They were always happy and bubbly and I am heartbroken to know that they have been torn apart in this most senseless and horrific way."

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/link/follow-20170101-gtw40v