Boy, 2, dies after being hit by car at school in Durack

Flowers, heartfelt notes and toys have surrounded Durack State School after the tragic death of a two-year-old boy.

Police are at the scene at Durack State School where a boy was hit and killed by a car. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Flowers, heartfelt notes and toys have surrounded Durack State School after an accident claimed the life of a two-year-old Somalian boy on Thursday afternoon.

It is understood that the boy’s mother and sibling witnessed the horrific incident when the boy was run over during school pick up.

The Durack State School principal was at the scene and attempted to revive the child.

Queensland African Communities Council member Beny Bol offered his condolences to the boy’s family.

“It will be so forever,” Mr Bol said.

The Durack community was in shock after the incident. Picture: Patrick Woods

“We need to be together and put yourself in the same situation.”

An unrelated parent at the school told the media that the boy’s death could have been prevented.

“There is no fencing to stop kids from running onto the road,” she said.

Another man said it was “an accident waiting to happen”.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the investigation would be thorough.

No charges have been laid.

School kids return to the scene of the incident. Picture: Patrick Woods

Parents earlier shared their shock and sadness after children returned to school.

The incident happened in the car park of Durack State School, with paramedics were called to the Inala Ave address about 3.34pm.

Police are at the scene of a single vehicle traffic crash at Durack State School. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“An investigation has commenced, and a woman is assisting police with their inquiries,” police said in a statement on Thursday.

Police said they had spoken with a woman at the scene.

The Courier-Mail understands the principal of the school tried to save the little boy.

“What a horrible thing to go through,” Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said on Friday morning, as he offered his sympathies to the family.

“The investigation will be extremely thorough.”

Mr Gollschewski said it was too early to speculate on the factors of the Durack incident.

“It’s early days on that investigation,” Mr Gollschewski said.

“That’s just the worst thing for any family, to think a young one is lost so tragically … a life that will never be realised, so huge sympathy to that family.

“And I know our whole community feels that when those things happen.”

Police on scene at Durack State School where a two-year-old boy was hit by a car today. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A parent at the school told the Courier-Mail families had been affected by the boy’s death and were notified of the cancellation of the pre-prep program.

“I think a lot of people are affected by what happened yesterday,” she said.

On Friday morning, Lawrence Smith walked his grandson across the busy road heading towards the school and said it was “shocking” to hear what happened to the young boy.

“Shocking it should happen but it’s an accident waiting to happen it’s not being properly supervised, it’s not had to do, but it’s hard to find people to do that,” Mr Smith said.

Lawrence Smith described the horror scenes. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Smith said it’s a “desperate rush” of parents when it comes to pick up time and made a complaint to the school about the drop off zone on avocet street.

“They had mini buses that used to go and park in the middle of the pick up zone. We couldn’t drive around them, or anything else,” Mr Smith said.

In the wake of the devastating news Mr Lawrence said proper planning needs to be in place for school pick up and drop off where the young boy was killed.

“It’s all desperate, the people come here an hour early.”

Qld Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

Durack State School on Thursday afternoon wrote on Facebook that the community was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident”.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to family and loved ones,” the school posted on Thursday afternoon.

“The school will be open (Friday) and we will have support and counsellors in place for anyone needing to talk.

“Together as a community we will support each other through this difficult time.”

It also confirmed that the pre-prep program was cancelled for the day due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience,” the post said.

“Emails have also been sent to all affected families.”

A Department of Education spokesperson offered the department’s sympathies.

“A tragic incident took place at Durack State School yesterday afternoon, and investigations are currently underway,” a spokesperson said.

“Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the affected family and to our entire school community. We remain committed to providing ongoing support to those impacted.”