Child dies after car crashes into Auburn South Primary School, four remain in hospital

A shattered school community has rallied to pay tribute to “little ray of sunshine” Jack Davey, killed when a car ploughed into Auburn South Primary School.

A shattered school community has rallied to pay tribute to “little ray of sunshine” Jack Davey, killed when a car ploughed into Auburn South Primary School, as the boy’s grieving parents and sisters visited the site on Wednesday evening.

The grade 5 student at the Hawthorn East school was “sitting in the sunshine having a chat” with classmates on Tuesday afternoon when a Toyota SUV crashed through the school fence as its driver attempted a U-turn.

Jack, 11, died and four other children were injured in the schoolyard tragedy.

It’s understood the driver was a mother of three with children at the school, and was a P-plater with a clean driving history.

It’s also believed that she had been called to the school for a two-hour meeting before the crash.

Jack Davey, 11, was killed when a car ploughed into his primary school. Picture: Supplied

On Wednesday, members of the tight-knit school community paid tribute to the “good kid who loved his sports”, with flowers, handwritten messages and teddy bears adorning the schoolyard.

Family friend Lucy Pristel said Jack had been on a scheduled school break when he was struck by the car.

“He was sitting in the sunshine having a chat with the girls that he was sitting next to,” she said.

“He was right near the soccer field and basketball courts, so I’m surprised he wasn’t playing.”

Jack played under-11s footy for Glen Iris Junior Football Club, was a valued member of the Titans Junior Basketball Club in Hawthorn, and a keen futsal player.

The incident has triggered an outpouring of grief locally. Parents gripped their children’s hands as they walked them to and from school, while teachers sought comfort in each other as they placed flowers near the site of the crash.

By 3pm on Wednesday, dozens of bouquets lined a school building on Burgess St, just metres from where the tragedy had unfolded 24 hours earlier.

Messages of support to the Davey family, the school and the families of the other victims accompanied the flowers, as well as hand-drawn pictures.

Jack played under-11s footy for Glen Iris Junior Football Club

Six small yellow soccer balls covered in messages of love for Jack were also left at the site.

“Dear Jack, I’m going to miss you so so much, forever 11,” one message read.

“Dear Jack, I love you so much and can’t believe you’re really gone. You’re one of my best friends and I will forever love you,” another said.

A third read: “I can’t believe you’re gone. Loved the memories we had together, family Christmas, playing soccer, jumping in the pool and chasing around the yard.”

Jack’s grieving parents visited the site on Wednesday evening, stopping to read the messages left for their beloved son.

Jack’s little sisters could be seen inspecting the tributes and collecting some of the soccer balls left in his memory.

Jack’s grandmother was among the family members who attended the site on Wednesday afternoon.

“She told us ‘Thank you for bringing flowers’,” one mother from another school said. “She’s a really strong woman.”

The parents of a boy who was close friends with Jack said their son was shaken by the ­incident.

The car sits inside the gate of the school after the crash. Picture: Wayne Taylor

The scene of the crash on Tuesday evening. Picture: Wayne Taylor

The classmates had attended a birthday party over the weekend together.

The parents, who didn’t wish to be identified, said their son had requested that Jack be in his grade 6 class next year.

“I feel sorry for the family. Their son didn’t get to go home,” the distraught mother said.

The dad said Jack was one of his son’s “best buddies”.

“My son is a bit shaken but he insisted he wanted to go to school today to be with his mates,” he said.

A neighbour of the Davey family also paid tribute to the grade 5 ­student.

Through tears, he said he last saw Jack jumping on his trampoline in his front yard on Tuesday morning.

“It’s devastating, he was such a good kid, he loved his sports,” the neighbour said.

Family friend Ms Pristel, who started a GoFundMe for the Davey family that had raised more than $43,000 by 5pm on Wednesday, said Jack was a “little ray of sunshine”.

“He was a beautiful child, everybody loved him,” she said. “We were all crying and laughing talking about his skinny little legs running down the basketball court.”

In a statement, Glen Iris Junior Football Club president Dave Barnaby said he was devastated by the tragedy.

“Auburn South Primary School is a significant part of our club community and we are devastated and deeply saddened by yesterday’s events,” he said.

“Our hearts are with the families impacted directly, as well as all Auburn South Primary School students, parents, teachers and other members of our community affected by this incident.”

Principal Marcus Wicher leaves flowers after the tragedy. Picture: David Crosling

A young student lays flowers at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: David Crosling

Principal Marcus Wicher described the incident as a “complete tragedy”.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with Jack’s family and friends, and our thoughts are also with our four students who remain in hospital, and their families,” he said.

“We are entirely focused on the welfare of our students, staff and broader school community.

“The response from our local community has been overwhelming and I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out with generous offers of support.”

Mr Wicher said the school community was strong, and together would get through the tragedy.

Classes at the school continued as normal on Wednesday, with Education Minister Ben Carroll describing the incident as “every parent’s worst nightmare”.

The driver of the car, a 40-year-old Hawthorn East woman, was arrested at the scene but had been released pending further inquiries.

One of the injured children remains at the Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition while another victim was transferred to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.

It’s understood the injuries suffered by the surviving children include broken bones and upper body injuries, and that they have a long road to recovery ahead.

A second GoFundMe has also been set up to support their families.

Teachers and parents arrive at the school with floral tributes. Picture: David Crosling

A police officer inspects the scene of the crash. Picture: Seven News

Police outside Auburn South Primary School. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Police tape at the gate where the car came to a stop. Picture: Wayne Taylor

A crime scene investigator at the site of the crash. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Officers probe the scene of the crash. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Parents outside the school after the incident. Picture: David Caird

Originally published as Child dies after car crashes into Auburn South Primary School, four remain in hospital