A 34-year-old mother has told relatives she swerved to avoid rocks shortly before the four-wheel-drive she was driving rolled and killed her 11-year-old son and seven-year-old niece near Melbourne.
The vehicle was carrying seven children home from school when it overturned at the intersection of Nerowie Road and Parwan-Exford Road in Parwan, west of the city, at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.
Sarah El Hawli died at the scene despite attempts by paramedics to revive her. Her cousin, Ossama El Hawli, was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition but died overnight.
The five other children, including a toddler, three primary-school-aged children and a teenager, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Royal Children’s Hospital said they were all in a stable condition on Wednesday.
The driver, understood to be Ossama’s mother, was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for observation.
Family members told the ABC they believed the driver had swerved to avoid a rock. Police have not confirmed whether that account forms part of their investigation.
Detective Sergeant Tony Gentile said there was no apparent indication at this stage that speed, drugs or alcohol had contributed to the crash.
“From my understanding, the scene was quite hectic with family coming as well and there were people everywhere,” he said. “Witnesses who witnessed it, they stopped and rendered assistance.”
He said the children had been distressed and were cared for by paramedics, members of the public and police.
Two Air Ambulance Victoria helicopter crews, two Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance crews and seven advanced life-support paramedic crews attended the crash.
Parwan crash investigation continues
The Major Collision Investigation Unit is examining the circumstances surrounding the rollover. Police are appealing for witnesses, as well as anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to come forward.
Sarah and Ossama attended Al Iman College in Melton South. The Australian Islamic Centre said the deaths had caused a “heartbreaking loss” for the community and confirmed the children would be farewelled at a funeral service on Thursday.
“Their loss has deeply affected our entire AIC community,” the centre said. “Our hearts are with their parents, family and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss.”
Anyone with information about the Parwan crash is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
