As it happened: One child killed, four others injured after car crashes into school in Melbourne’s east

Thanks for reading our coverage of the tragedy at Auburn South Primary School.

We will end our live updates here for today, but will continue to closely cover the incident in the days ahead.

A woman has been arrested after the vehicle she was driving crashed through Auburn South Primary School fence.Credit: Joe Armao

Here’s what we know so far:

• An 11-year-old boy was killed after a car crashed through the fence at Auburn South Primary School about 2.30pm.
• Victoria Police said a female driver was doing a U-turn after picking up a child from school when she allegedly crashed through the school fence, hitting an outdoor table.
• Two 11-year-old girls, one 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
• Three children were transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital and two children were taken to the Monash Medical Centre.
• The driver, a 40-year-old woman from Hawthorn East, was arrested at the scene.
• The woman was in police custody on Tuesday evening but had not been charged.
• Her passenger, a primary school aged child, was not injured in the crash.

A neighbour who asked not to be named said Burgess Street was normally quiet and people generally stuck to the speed limit.

However, he said some people used a median strip outside the school to perform U-turns and head back towards Tooronga Road.

“They’ll be on [the other side of the road], parked, and then they’ll U-turn to go back that way,” the neighbour said.

“It’s not wide enough for a full u-turn. There’s normally a three-point turn involved or they pull into the driveways.”

Independent Member for Kooyong Monique Ryan says the community around Auburn South Primary School will come together to support one another.

Ryan attended the school after the incident but did not speak to reporters.

“We are all so sorry and so saddened by this devastating tragedy,” she said in a statement.

“I speak for all in expressing love and sympathy to the students, parents and staff of Auburn South Primary School.”

Member for Kooyong Monique Ryan.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Premier Jacinta Allan has released a statement following the tragedy at Auburn South Primary School.

Allan has thanked first responders and sent her “love and thoughts” to the whole school community.

“I know tonight Victorians will be thinking of Auburn South Primary, and holding our kids even closer,” she said.

Police escorted media to the outside of the school on Tuesday evening, where the car involved in the crash was visible between a large gap in the fence.

The fence’s metal was crushed and buckled, with an awning over the top shading it from the sun.

Detectives walked by evidence markers placed on the ground as they inspected the car.

What appeared to be a picnic-style table was seen between the car and the footpath outside the school.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto has issued a statement offering condolences to all those impacted by the crash on Tuesday afternoon.

The Member for Hawthorn said the Auburn South Primary School incident was devastating.

Pesutto said his thoughts and sincerest condolences were with the local family who had lost a loved one today.

“Auburn South Primary is an outstanding local school with a tight-knit community of students, teachers, parents and friends and this incident will come as a painful shock,” he said.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto.Credit: Darrian Traynor

“On behalf of the Hawthorn community, I express my sincerest condolences with the students who have been injured, their families and the broader school community.

“To principal Marcus Wicher and the entire staff, I also extend my thoughts and best wishes at this difficult time.”

The car could be seen through the school fence as police held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Major collision investigation unit detectives were seen crouched and inspecting the vehicle.

Police are investigating the incident at Auburn South Primary School.Credit: Joe Armao

Inspector Craig McEvoy said the 40-year-old woman from Hawthorn East was arrested at the scene.

McEvoy said the woman was in custody and was currently being interviewed by police.

“These events are always hard .. but [are] especially difficult when there are children involved,” he said.

“It appears it is a tragic accident.”

Inspector Craig McEvoy updates the media after an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other children were injured when a car crashed into Auburn South Primary School.Credit: Nine News

Victoria Police Inspector Craig McEvoy says the driver of the vehicle was collecting a child from the school before the crash occurred.

“After collecting the child, she’s performed a U-turn and collided into the fence of the school, crashing through the fence where, unfortunately, she has struck a table where there were five children seated within the school grounds,” McEvoy said.

“Very tragically and sadly, one of those children has passed away whilst being conveyed to hospital.

“The other four children have been conveyed to hospital and are undergoing treatment for their injuries.”

Police are providing an update from the corner of Burgess Street and Auburn Road in Hawthorn East.

An 11-year-old boy has died after being hit by a car that ploughed through the fence of Auburn South Primary School.

Police say the boy was rushed to hospital with critical injuries but could not be saved.

Two girls aged 11, one 10 year-old girl and a 10 year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police at the scene of the crash at the school.Credit: Joe Armao

Police say a vehicle was travelling along Burgess Street just after 2.30pm when it veered off the road and crashed through the school fence.

The driver, a 40-year-old woman from Hawthorn East, was arrested at the scene.

Her passenger, a primary school-aged child, was not injured.