Mourners pay tribute after Calvin Wijeweera dies in car crash near Carlingford Court shopping centre

The parents of the boy who was killed when he was walking on a footpath in Sydney’s northwest have visited the site of the horrific collision and spoken of their ambitious, quiet son.

A girl lays flowers at the scene of the collision at Rembrandt St, Carlingford, when a teenager was killed. Picture: Julian Andrews

The grief-stricken parents of the 17-year-old boy who was killed at Carlingford have visited the site where he died after a car crash on Thursday.

About 11.20am on Thursday, emergency services raced to Rembrandt St, Carlingford, after a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan struck Calvin Wijeweera, who was walking on the footpath with his friends.

It mounted the kerb and crashed into mechanic Eddie Kilic’s van in the driveway of a house.

Late on Friday afternoon, his proud parents Sandun and Anoma, wept as they met mourners at the site and spoke of their son’s life being cut short.

“I came here in Australia (from Sri Lanka) for a better life,’’ Mr Wijeweera said. “It’s unbelievable that happened to my son.’’

They said their son, who was more than six foot tall, was due to start his HSC next year and held dreams of becoming an aeronautical engineer.

Sandun and Anoma Wijeweera at Rembrandt St, Carlingford, where their son Calvin was killed in a car crash on December 1.

The Colombo-born teen excelled at maths and loved playing volleyball and soccer.

His 72-year-old grandmother was visiting from overseas and was also with the family when they visited the crash site and spoke to parents and classmates.

Students from Carlingford High School lay flowers at the scene of the crash. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Wijeweera and his wife work as a chef and physio assistant nurse in aged care centres respectively.

Despite them moving to Kings Park, Calvin continued to attend Carlingford High where all his mates were, and because his father said it was a good school.

A father of one of Calvin’s friends said the teen was a very popular and active student of the Sinhalese language school at North Parramatta and participated in many Sri Lankan cultural events.

Mourners continued laying a growing mound of floral tributes at the scene of a car crash that pinned Calvin under a van.

Calvin Wijeweera (far right) with his sister Ovindi and parents Sandun and Anoma. Picture: Facebook

Flowers left at the scene. Picture: Julian Andrews

Emergency services on the scene on Rembrandt St in Carlingford where a 17 year-old died. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Counselling is being offered to students from Carlingford High School after the death of their fellow student and police are working to piece together the final moments leading up to the horrific death.

On Friday, a mass of white and crimson carnations, lilies and daisies lay on the front lawn of a property where the boy died.

Two teenage boys fought back tears as they laid vibrant bouquets at the site with a card that farewelled their friend.

“It’s to (sic) soon. I miss you so much. I hope you rest well and yourself up in heaven. You are the best, take care, your name won’t be forgotten.’’

Flowers piled up on the grass.

Community members mourn.

Friends lay flowers at the scene of of the car accident.

The family came to Australia from Sri Lanka seeking a better life.

The students attended with adults who said prayers after placing the flowers

“It’s gut wrenching,’’ Carlingford High parent Julia Yoe said after she walked past the site.

“It’s so close to Christmas.’’

Mum Hayley Lam paid her respects with her children.

“My husband went to Carlingford High and I just happened to be in the area yesterday and I wanted to pay my respects because it’s just such a tragedy,’’ she said.

“The Carlingford community is quite sad.’’

As school finished in the afternoon, a large throng of about 40 students filed to the site to lay flowers and paused to remember their peer and friend.

Teens, some with their parents, bowed their heads, linked arms and stood silently as they formed a circle around the pile of blooms.

Distraught members of the community reflect after the tragedy.

An influx of students started to pay tribute to their friend after school.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated Calvin, who was walking back from his school on North Rocks Rd, but he died at the scene near Carlingford Court shopping centre.

His family was notified just after 5pm on Thursday.

As of 3.20pm on Thursday, police continued a delicate operation to retrieve the boy’s body from under the van.

A second boy, also aged 17, suffered a head injury and was taken to Westmead Hospital where he’s reported to be in a stable condition.

A third student was uninjured.

Ryde police established a crime scene, which will be examined by Crash Investigation Unit specialist officers.

“It was very traumatic for the first responding police officers and the ambulance that rendered first aid to both 17-year-old boys,’’ Detective Inspector Jason Hogan said.

“It’s very harrowing when they turn up to situations like that.

“It is very distressing for the local community, the school and the family.’’

The driver of the sedan, a 90-year-old Epping woman, suffered a leg injury and was taken to Westmead Hospital where she would also undergo mandatory testing.

Insp Hogan said the results would take several weeks to return to the investigators, who have not yet spoken to the driver.

Several key witnesses were still to be questioned.

The possibility of the driver speeding or suffering a medical episode remained under investigation.

Mr Kilic was repairing a four-wheel drive on the property when the woman drove the car from the road, struck a tree and ploughed into his van, pinning the victim under it.

“It’s just sad, it’s shocking,’’ Mr Kilic said.

Mourners drop off flowers at the scene. Picture: Julian Andrews

Police are appealing for information from any witnesses. Picture: Jonathan Ng

He and his son Emin raced to give first aid to the boy’s friend and the woman but the victim died immediately.

“The boy was in shock and had a bit of bleeding so we stabilised him and got his school friends to keep him calm, keep him awake,’’ Mr Kilic said.

“The lady was in shock.’’

Mr Kilic said several students rushed to the scene after the collision.

“There was nothing we could do,’’ he said.

He said it was fortunate an elderly man living in the house where the fatality occurred was getting lunch and did not witness the horrific incident.

The Education Department released a statement following the death.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of a Carlingford High School student,’’ a spokesman said.

Sharon Arens lays flowers at the scene of a collision where a 17-year-old boy died at Rembrandt St, Carlingford.

“Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the entire school community at this difficult time.’’

“The school is in contact with the families. Wellbeing support is being provided to students and staff, with additional counsellors deployed to the school today and tomorrow.’’

Sharon Arens, who works at a Carlingford dental surgery, laid flowers at the scene after emergency services had left.

She and her colleagues heard a loud bang “and then maybe three minutes later the encore of sirens”.

Initially she thought there was a robbery at the shopping centre until she learned a boy had died.

“I’ve been crying,” she said.

“I don’t know this kid but it’s touched me so close to home because I’m a local girl. At this time of the year, that’s devastating.’’

Under RMS rules, NSW drivers must undertake a medical assessment to prove they are fit to drive every year once they turn 85. They must also take a test every two years.