‘He looks great – like he is okay,’ hero Tracey Jean says of toddler caught up in horror crash

A hero who raced out to help a two-year-old boy who survived a tragic crash that claimed the life of his grandparents has been reunited with the child.

The heroic woman who shielded a toddler from Thursday’s horror crash in Wantirna South has revealed the boy “really is OK” despite the ­tragedy.

Tracey Jean was reunited with the two-year-old and his family on Sunday, in the wake of last week’s deadly crash, in which an elderly driver ploughed her out-of-control car into the boy and his grandparents.

“The mum has got in ­contact with me, we’ve been texting all day yesterday,’’ she said on Sunday.

“I am going to hold him again today.

A car ploughed into a two-year-old boy and his grandparents in Wantirna South. Picture: David Crosling

“I’ve got a photo of him, he looks great – like he is okay.

“He really is okay,’’ she told 7News.

Ms Jean was at her parents’ house in Wantirna when the 91-year-old driver lost control of her Toyota Yaris, mounting a footpath and striking the two-year-old and his grandparents, who have both since died.

Hearing a “bang”, Ms Jean ran out to the fatal crash scene to find the injured boy standing under a tree.

Tracey Jean met up with the two-year-old and his family on Sunday. Picture: Channel 7

She took the child into her arms and shielded him from the horror that was unfurling.

Last week, Ms Jean told the Herald Sun the boy’s heart was beating so hard she could feel it on her chest as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

The boy was later transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released back to his bereaved parents.

The elderly driver struck the family after her car mounted the kerb on Coleman Rd about 12.20pm. It is believed the trio were out for a walk nearby a children’s playground when the car came hurtling toward them.

A 91-year-old woman lost control of her Toyota Yaris and crashed. Picture: David Crosling

After striking the family, the car, still out of control, travelled another 200m towards the playground before crashing through a fence and into a park bench.

The boy’s 59-year-old grandmother died at the scene. For two days, the grandfather fought for his life in hospital but sadly passed away on Saturday night, surrounded by his family.

The 91-year-old driver came out of the ordeal with minor injuries. She was on Sunday night yet to be interviewed by police who are still trying to work out what caused the driver to lose control of her car.

The tragic incident has sparked a wider debate on whether stricter driving regulations should be enforced for elderly drivers in Victoria.

Originally published as ‘He looks great – like he is okay,’ hero Tracey Jean says of toddler caught up in horror crash