<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332035</docID> <postdate>2024-10-30 09:47:06</postdate> <headline>School open after boy killed in crash, driver released</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-332036" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241029199437131043-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Police are investigating a car crash that killed a boy and left four other children in hospital. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>William Ton</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>The school where a boy was killed and four other children injured after a car crashed through a fence is open, with classes running and support services on hand.</strong></p> <p>The Auburn South Primary School community is in mourning following Tuesday's tragic events.</p> <p>A 40-year-old woman had just collected her child from the school in Melbourne's east and attempted a U-turn when her car crashed through a fence into the schoolyard, hitting a group of children sitting at a table.</p> <p>An 11-year-old boy suffered critical injuries and died on the way to hospital.</p> <p>Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to hospital.</p> <p>Three of the children were taken to the Royal Children's Hospital and two to Monash Medical Centre.</p> <p>Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was in parliament when she heard about the tragedy and felt instantly shaken.</p> <p>"Yesterday afternoon should have been a totally unremarkable, sunny Tuesday," she told reporters on Wednesday.</p> <p>"I think every Victorian had their stomach lurch in the same way that mine did yesterday afternoon when we received the awful news of this accident."</p> <p>The premier encouraged people to use support services on offer if they are finding news of the events troubling to deal with.</p> <p>Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said 25 extra teachers from nearby schools were on site to support their colleagues on Wednesday, along with pastoral and counselling services.</p> <p>Dozens of families walked hand in hand with children to morning drop off, parents congregating in the schoolyard as young students made their way to class.</p> <p>Others heading to the school carried flowers and biscuits, a floral tribute growing to more than a dozen bunches left just metres away from the crash site.</p> <p>A temporary cover blocks off where the car slammed through the school fence, a grassy area next to the oval underneath a gum tree and a sailcloth.</p> <p>The driver of the vehicle, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by detectives. No charges were laid and she was released overnight pending further inquiries.</p> <p>The woman and child in the car were not injured.</p> <p>Detectives worked into the evening to investigate the circumstances of the crash, which Inspector Craig McEvoy said appeared to be a "tragic accident".</p> <p>"It's really tough for everybody involved, from the community, the school community, the locals, the first responders, ambulances and police," he said.</p> <p>"These events are always hard where there's death and serious injury, but especially difficult when there's children involved."</p> <p>The car had a green P-plate, but Insp McEvoy said he was not certain of the woman's licence status.</p> </body>