Girl, 8, dies after being hit by car in Doncaster
Avreet Jhinger has been named as the young girl killed in Doncaster last night. Her family say she was walking alongside the road, not crossing it, when she was hit by a car.
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The family of an eight-year-old who died after being struck by a car in Doncaster say they are devastated by the loss of their “beautiful” girl.
Avreet Jhinger was walking with her sister when hit by a car on Victoria St, near the intersection of George St, about 6.30pm on Wednesday.
She was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, but died on Thursday morning.
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Avreet’s distraught father and grandfather were too emotional to speak as they visited the scene of the crash.
Other relatives said Avreet would be remembered as a “beautiful young girl”.
Victoria Police initially said Avreet was hit while crossing the road. But a police spokeswoman later said it was believed she had stepped out on to the road.
The driver of the car, a 64-year-old woman from Doncaster East, stopped to assist at the scene, police said.
Investigators want to speak to anyone who saw the accident, or who saw Avreet walking in the area, or anyone who might have dashcam footage.
Family friend Sukh Ghanas said Avreet and her sister, 9, had been walking beside the road, after playing in a nearby park.
Mr Ghanas said Avreet’s sister was distressed but “doing OK”.
FREQUENT ACCIDENTS ON VICTORIA ST
Earlier today locals called for immediate changes to the road.
Neighbour John Grouios said he heard the crash and saw a young girl lying on the side of the road when he rushed from his home.
“I heard a loud bang and then I saw a young girl who was distraught next to another young girl who did not look in a good way,” he said.
Mr Grouios, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said accidents at and near the intersection of Victoria St and George St occurred frequently.
“I never let my kids cross the road because of just how dangerous it is,” he said.
“I would instead drive them across to their athletics or cricket games instead, the drive being maybe 200 metres in total.”
Another local, Joe Stafrace said speed cameras and potentially a second crossing further down Victoria St is needed.
“For kids to be crossing such a busy road is very dangerous,” he said.
“Something needs to be done otherwise something like this could happen again.”
Neighbour Brandon Currigan said last night the intersection of Victoria and George streets was notorious for crashes.
Both roads have speed limits of 60km/h but cars often did above that heading downhill approaching the traffic lights, he said.
“You see crashes all the time,” Mr Currigan said.
“It happens like once a month. There’s no arrows on the lights so often it’s cars turning that will speed around the corner once it’s orange.”
He said there were six police cars and two ambulances at the intersection last night.
He said a roadblock was in place on Victoria St until 9pm.
Emergency crews appeared to be gathered next to the Ruffey Creek Trail, he said.
There is a bus stop next to the intersection and parkland on both sides of Victoria St.
It comes after Essendon great James Hird was hit by a car while cycling in Richmond just before 3pm.
A police spokesman said it was believed a car was turning left when it collided with the bike.
Hird was taken by ambulance to the Epworth Hospital with wrist and knee injuries.
The tragedy happened just three months after a little boy was struck and killed crossing Springfield Road in Blackburn North.
Jack Power, 10, was crossing at a pedestrian light with his little sister and their friend when he was struck, the Hi-Ace narrowly avoiding the two girls.
In a powerful interview, Jack’s mother Bonnie Power has called for motorists to pay more attention while behind the wheel to prevent other families from experiencing the pain of losing a child.
Ms Power she was “heartbroken” but wanted to make sure her son’s death “stood for something”.
“Let’s make a pledge that we try to stop this from happening again — enough is enough,” she told the Herald Sun.
“These types of accidents are on the rise and there’s just something wrong with the way we’re living our lives these days … there’s too many distractions.
“I think this can be used as a wake up call … I’m on a mission now for the greater good.”
Police are investigating the Doncaster incident and appealing for any witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.