Mum of girl injured in fatal crash at Banksia Rd Public School pledges support for driver
THE mother of one of the children injured in Tuesday’s crash that killed two boys at Banksia Road Public School has today pledged her support for the driver Maha Al-Shennag.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE mother of one of the children injured in Tuesday’s crash that killed two boys and injured three girls at Banksia Road Public School has today pledged her support for the driver Maha Al-Shennag.
The woman has urged people to cease judgment and instead focus on prayers for the two “angels” lost and for the swift recovery of the three “gorgeous girls” injured in the crash.
She commented on one of several posts circulating, pledging her support for the driver.
“My daughter was hurt in this accident and is still in hospital,” the woman wrote. “It’s not Maha’s fault, please, everyone needs to leave this lady alone.”
“A lot of things are being said and no one should be judging her at the moment.
MORE NEWS
FRESH CHARGES LAID AGAINST FATAL CRASH DRIVER
“Just pray for those 2 Angels that have passed and for the recovery of our 3 gorgeous girls.”
The Islamic community has also begun rallying behind the widowed mother of four online.
A Facebook post is being copied and shared with an accompanying MahaAlShennag hashtag.
The trending tribute states that Al-Shennag is a “beloved sister in Islam” and that those posting stand in support of her.
“It could have been any of us behind that wheel but Allah chose to take those children’s lives through you,” the post read. “This is the QADR of Allah, the wisdom of Allah.”
Banksia Road Primary School reopened yesterday after the tragedy with additional teaching staff from nearby schools and grief counsellors sent from the Department of Education to support children, families and school staff. Less than 90 of the 570 children enrolled at the school attended on Wednesday. All but one of the 54 teachers were at work.
The school gates were lined with flowers, balloons and a makeshift memorial filled with tributes on Wednesday.
Two eight-year-old girls and a nine-year-old girl were taken to hospital after the crash at the Greenacre school, and two of them were discharged on Wednesday afternoon.
Police on Wednesday laid further charges on Al-Shennag, 52.
The widow had already been charged over the deaths of two eight-year-old boys.
She has now also been charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and cause actual bodily harm by misconduct.
Police will allege the additional charges relate to injuries sustained by children who were taken to hospital.