One-year-old girl dies after being hit by car at Toongabbie

The mother and two older brothers of a Sydney toddler who died in the driveway of her home after being accidentally run over by her father remain “inconsolable” after watching the incident unfold, relatives say.

A car at the scene in Toongabbie. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The mother and two older brothers of a Sydney toddler who died in the driveway of her home after being accidentally run over by her father remain “inconsolable” after watching the incident unfold.

Sravandhi Thirumalareddy and her two sons, aged 9 and 12, were unable to speak on Saturday, traumatised after little Rishwika Salibindla died in the driveway of their Toongabbie home on Friday evening.

Her father Joseph Reddy Salibindla was reversing out of their Edna Ave home just before 5.30pm, when he hit little Rishwika, who had run behind the car.

Rishwika Salibindla.

Rishwika Salibindla with her mum Sravandhi Thirumalareddy.

A contractor from the Forensic Cleaning Services at work at the scene on Saturday. Picture: Julian Andrews

He tragically ran over his daughter, and found her seconds later covered in blood.

Mr Salibindla tried to keep his daughter alive until a dozen paramedics arrived, but her injuries were too severe.

Overwhelmed with grief, Mr Salibindla sobbed into the arms of one of his relatives before he was taken to Parramatta Police Station in the back of a paddy wagon, where he spent Friday night assisting with police inquiries.

He was released late that night and is not expected to be charged. He spent Saturday at the family home with his wife, as forensic cleaners mopped up the scene of the tragedy.

Rishwika, the couple’s third child, was set to turn two in April, and was adored by her large family.

The incident has broken the family, with Rishwika’s older brothers and her mother offered counselling after witnessing the tiny girl bleeding in the driveway as paramedics rushed to the scene.

Forensic cleaners outside the Toongabbie home on Saturday. Picture: Julian Andrews

The driveway of the Edna Ave property on Saturday. Picture: Julian Andrews

Police established a crime scene as they investigated. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Ms Thirumalareddy’s brother Joseph Gade said his sister was “so upset she could not speak”, unable to come to terms with the sudden loss of her only daughter.

“How can you even describe this pain,” he said.

Ms Thirumalareddy and Mr Salibindla moved to Australia 20 years ago and are being supported by more than a dozen close family and friends, who spent Saturday by her side.

“They have a big church family here supporting them,” a family friend said.

A fundraiser has been established to support funeral costs and memorial services for the “beautiful” little girl.

The family were home at the time of the accident. Picture: Thomas Lisson

A second toddler was seriously injured in a crash near his Sydney home less than 24 hours after Rishwika died in the driveway of her home.

Police and emergency services rushed to Wilson St, Panania about 11.30am on Saturday to the confronting scene.

People gathered at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The girl’s family is being supported by extended family members. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Rishwika was remembered as “very sweet and cheeky”. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The young boy, 3, had been hit by a yellow MG by a 56-year-old who is not related to the child.

The woman has been taken to Bankstown police station for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

The child has been taken to the Children’s Hospital at Randwick where he is in a stable condition.