Crash at Auburn South Elementary School: Driver released after 'accident' kills 11-year-old boy and injures four others

Victoria Police have released a driver after a car crashed through a school gate, tragically killing a schoolboy and seriously injuring four others.

The tragic incident occurred at Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday afternoon when a 40-year-old driver picked up her child from school.

The driver is said to have suffered a medical incident when he attempted to make a U-turn, veered off the road and hit a table on a school site where young children were having recess.

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The aftermath was described as hectic, with emergency services, locals and people from the school rushing to help.

First responders rushed to the school on Tooronga Rd in Hawthorn East just after 2.30pm on Tuesday.

An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured in the crash and died on the way to hospital.

Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Three of the children were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital and two to Monash Medical Centre.

Police remained on scene until Wednesday morning and eventually removed a white Toyota RAV4 from the school grounds in the middle of the night.

The driver, from Hawthorn East, was arrested and questioned by detectives.

However, no charges were filed and she was released overnight pending further investigations.

The woman and child in the car were not injured.

The 40-year-old female driver had just picked up a child from school when she made a U-turn and crashed through the school gate, police said. Credit: 7NEWS

One boy died on Tuesday afternoon when a table of five children was hit by a car at a school in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East. Credit: 7NEWS

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told Sunrise it was a “very, very sad day”.

“From the outset, I can express my deepest condolences to the family and school community who today mourn the loss of a beautiful little boy,” she said Wednesday morning. .

“This is certainly something that is being felt across the state by parents, families and communities across Victoria.

“There are additional teachers, staff and counselors at the school today as well as at the neighboring high school across the road.

“It’s a very tight, close-knit community. There are many families in this community who are grieving and that is why they are offering support to the school community today.

Ms Allan did not get drawn into speculation, saying it was “too early” and Victoria Police needed time to do their job.

Inspector Craig McEvoy of Victoria Police said the incident appeared to be a “tragic accident”.

“It’s really tough for everyone involved, from the community, the school community, locals, first responders, ambulances and police,” he said.

“These events are always difficult when there are deaths and serious injuries, but especially difficult when children are involved.”

Victoria Police Inspector Craig McEvoy addresses the media. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/MONKEY IMAGE

Investigations are underway. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/MONKEY IMAGE

The car had a green P-plate, but Insp McEvoy said he was unsure of the woman’s licensing status.

The local community is in mourning after the devastating events.

A mother from the school told me Herald Sun the incident was “traumatic”.

“I was informed of the incident via our parents’ WhatsApp group just before 3pm. My stomach dropped when I read the message,” she said.

“As I approached the school, I could see the emergency services from a distance.

“There was a lot of speculation about what happened.

“I just gave my daughter a big hug when I saw her, everyone is just beside themselves.

“It’s a great school with great teachers and students and we just pray that the injured children are doing well.”