The driver of the car that crashed through the fence of a Melbourne primary school, killing an 11-year-old boy, has been released pending further investigations.
On Tuesday afternoon at about 2.30pm, the 40-year-old female driver allegedly performed a U-turn on Burgess Street after picking up a child from Auburn South Primary School before crashing into the fence.
The driver was arrested following the incident but had not been charged.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Police say the vehicle crashed into a table where five students were sitting, killing one and injuring two 11-year-old girls, one 10-year-old girl and one 10-year-old boy.
The four surviving students were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The child in the vehicle had not been injured.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan urged anyone affected by the incident to seek mental health and wellbeing support.
She added the Department of Education would provide additional support, including teachers and counsellors, to Auburn South Primary School.
It’s understood that around 20 teachers from other primary schools are on hand should Auburn South teachers need to take time off.
“We all handle these sorts of grief, these incidences, differently. We should make sure, if we feel we need help, please do reach out,” Ms Allan said on ABC News Breakfast.
“Particularly if anyone’s got their own little kids who might be really disturbed by this – our schools do have really great mental health and wellbeing supports in our schools.
“So, really encourage families to reach out to provide that support – but also, too, take care of each other. Hold our little ones really tight.”
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800