Hundreds of mourners gather for school boy’s funeral

Mourners have gathered for the funeral of one of the two boys tragically killed in Tuesday’s classroom crash.

The funeral for one of the 8-year-old boys killed when a car crashed into Banksia Road Public School. Picture: Brianne Makin.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered at Lakemba Mosque for the funeral of one of the two boys tragically killed in Tuesday’s classroom crash at a school in Sydney’s southwest.

The eight-year-old’s bright green casket, draped in black and gold cloth was carried on the shoulders of his male relatives, and taken into the mosque shortly before midday prayers on Thursday.

Women embrace before attending the funeral of a schoolboy killed in an accident at Banksia Road Primary School. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir.

About 300 mourners had earlier followed the funeral procession from the Lebanese Muslim association.

Scores of men and women broke down and embraced outside the nation’s biggest mosque as children in traditional robes lingered by their sides.

Following the funeral, mourners continued to Rookwood cemetery for his burial.

The boy had been sitting at the front of his year-three classroom with his “best mate”, who was also killed, when 52-year-old Maha Al-Shennag, crashed through the wall.

Hours before the funeral, the widowed mother-of-four, who is already facing two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, was slapped with additional charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct.

The funeral for one of the 8-year-old boys killed when a car crashed into Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre held at the Lakemba Mosque. Picture: Brianne Makin.

Driver faces additional charges

Further charges have been laid against a woman, who allegedly ploughed her Toyota Kluger into a Year 3 classroom on Tuesday, killing two eight-year olds and injuring a dozen.

The 52-year-old driver and widowed mother-of-four, Maha Al-Shennag, who is already facing two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, has been additionally charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct.

NSW Police believe Mrs Al-Shennag became distracted as she was dropping her nine-year-old son off at Banksia Road Public School and will allege the additional charges relate to injuries sustained by children who were taken to hospital.

In addition to the two boys who were killed, two eight-year-old girls were taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital in a stable condition, and a nine-year-old girl in a serious condition.

Distraction blamed for tragedy

A dropped water bottle, a distracted mother and a foot on the wrong pedal are believed to be the factors behind Tuesday’s horrific crash. The Australian understands police believe Mrs Al-Shennagt dropped a water bottle inside the car as she ­entered a car park near the classroom.

As she leant over to get it, police believe she accidentally stepped on the accelerator, launching the two-tonne Kluger over an obstacle, causing it to ­become airborne. It then ploughed into an old weatherboard classroom, pinning at least one of the children beneath the vehicle.

Ms Al-Shennag’s son, in the back seat, was unhurt.

Police are treating the accident as a tragic case of driver error, with sources close to the ­investigation saying there are no ­indications drugs, alcohol or mechanical failure played a role.

Horrified police who attended the accident spent 40-50 minutes performing CPR on some of the victims at a makeshift triage ­centre.

The car that slammed into the Year 3 classroom. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Police sources said Ms Al-Shennag was “devastated’’ when she was taken to the police ­station, but initially declined to be interviewed by investigators. Her lawyer Nick Hanna said she was “deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community”.

“Her thoughts and prayers are with all those affected,” he said.

About 88 of the school’s 470 pupils returned to school less than 24 hours after the car ­careened into the Year 3 classroom. As they arrived, many held their parents’ hands while laying flowers for the two victims.

“Reunited with their families in the hereafter. May God give their parents the power to get through this,” one message said.

“A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul has ascended to heaven,” said another.

Lisa Campbell, mother and manager of Padstow Hornets Football Club, joined members of one of the victim’s under-8s team to lay flowers and a signed football.

“It’s awful, we’re all in shock, we just can’t believe it. We grew up with him,” she said. “He was such a great kid and such a little superstar on the field. He was a pocket rocket and a bundle of ­energy.

“It’s important now that the families have time to grieve.’’

Jihad Dib, the local MP and former principal at a nearby high school, was accompanied by the member for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk, as he placed a floral tribute by the gate.“ There’s been an endless flow of people who wanted to offer their support, condolences and there’s a complete empathy here,” Mr Dib said.

After visiting the school staff and students, he said it was the ill-fated 3T classroom teacher’s second day at the school.

Five-year-old Christina Sleiman, who will start at Banksia Public next year, clung to her ­father as she placed flowers among the bouquets, balloons and mes­sages of condolence.

“We’re pretty sad. Very sad ­actually. We just pray for those children and those parents,” her father Steve said.

Mr Sleiman, who was at the school on Tuesday awaiting news of his Year 3 son, Joe, ­described the chaos of worried parents.

“We were shocked, very shocked. We didn’t know what was going on inside, we were crying,’’ he said.

Mr Sleiman’s wife Sally praised Banksia Public for its response to the tragedy. “We spoke with the counsellor. We feel very supported. They’ve been very, very good. They’re there for both the parents and the kids,’’ she said.

Mrs Sleiman, who had completed some of her practical teaching training with the ill-fated 3T class, described the eight-year-old victims “as good kids and great friends” who “loved playing and sport just like any other young boys”.

NSW Education Department head Mark Scott said a decision to keep Banksia Road Public open for the few remaining weeks of the school year was made in consultation with the principal and school community to help the “healing process”.

Mr Scott also confirmed the building hit by the car had been on the school site since the 1960s. He said it was made of timber, and of a type commonly found at schools around the state.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the school had undergone a maintenance ­inspection this year and no structural issues or other risks involving buildings had been found on the site.

Mr Stokes praised the dedication of teachers at the school, and stressed that only one staff member out of 54 was absent ­yesterday.

With AAP