Child killed, multiple other children injured after car crashes into Melbourne primary school

A child has died and multiple others have been injured after a car crashed into a suburban primary school.

A child has died and multiple others have been injured after a car crashed into a primary school in Melbourne’s inner east.

Emergency services were called to Auburn South Primary School on Tooronga Rd in Hawthorn East on Tuesday afternoon after reports of a crash.

Police believe the white SUV was travelling on Burgess St when it left the road and crashed into the school fence shortly after 2.30pm.

A boy, 11, was raced to hospital with critical injuries but has since died, Victoria Police said in a statement.

A child is dead and several others injured after a car crashed into a primary school on Tooronga Rd, Hawthorn East. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Police have begun a major investigation into the crash at Auburn South Primary School on Tooronga Rd Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Three girls – two aged 11 and one aged 10 – and a 10-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated by Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) detectives.

Police confirmed the female driver of the vehicle had been arrested and is being interviewed.

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

The children were reportedly sitting on a bench at the time of the incident. Picture: ABC

Police said the incident appeared to be a “tragic accident”. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Inspector Craig McEvoy from the MCIU said initial investigations suggested the woman, 40, had driven to the school to collect her child and crashed performing a U-turn.

He said the incident appeared to be a “tragic accident” and confirmed police were still taking statements from the scene.

“(It’s) a really tough scene, always when children are involved,” Inspector McEvoy said.

Police could not confirm if the driver was a P-plater and did not disclose whether charges had been laid.

It is still “yet to be determined” whether the 40-year-old had a medical episode.

Auburn South Primary School remains closed and all parents have been notified, Inspector McEvoy said.

Inspector Craig McEvoy from the MCIU said initial investigations suggested the woman, 40, had driven to the school to collect a child and crashed performing a U-turn. Picture: NewsWire / Alexandra Feiam

Police confirmed one child had died following the crash. Auburn South Primary School remains closed and all parents have been notified. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The school issued an SMS after the accident explaining Burgess St was closed and to pick up their children, but did not indicate children had been injured.

It’s understood the children were on an afternoon recess break when the car struck them.

In a statement, a Department of Education spokesman said: “Our thoughts are right now with the entire Auburn South Primary School community.”

“We are working closely with staff, students and parents of the school to support them during this deeply distressing time,” the spokesman continued.

“We will provide further information as soon as we can.”

Multiple emergency services are responding to the incident.

Police quickly shut down the road outside the primary school. Picture: NewsWire / David Caird

The crash comes less than an hour before typical school pick-up time. Picture: NewsWire / David Caird

A parent of a child at the school told 3AW on Tuesday afternoon that her son was friends with the children.

She said the children were at their third recess and had witnessed the crash, with parents still not knowing all the details.

An earlier caller, Julie, told 3AW “paramedics screamed towards (the scene) and police cars were screaming”.

“I have never seen police and ambulance screaming past so fast.”

Another parent Lucy told 3AW her son was very distressed after witnessing the crash.

“They’re all really, really shaken up,” she said.

“It’s just every person’s worst nightmare.”