Cabramatta car crash kills five-year-old, baby brother

The devastated parents of two children killed after a school pick-up in Sydney’s south-west have spoken of their grief and trauma at the busy roadside where the tragedy took place.

Five-year-old Katherine had just been collected from kindergarten by her mother, Sok Ram, 33, with her one-year-old brother Harry in a pram, when the trio was struck by an SUV at the intersection of the Cumberland Highway and Gilbert Street, Cabramatta about 3pm on Wednesday.

In an emotional interview with Nine News at the crash site on Thursday morning, Ram and the children’s father Vundy Tha said their hearts were broken “into a million pieces”.

“I love them so much, more than my life,” Ram said. “I wish [the car] had hit me.”

Ram said she was getting ready to cross Gilbert Street when the SUV, turning off the highway, stopped. As she began to cross, the car allegedly continued driving.

“Why did he not see me?” Sok said.

Bystanders rushed to assist after the crash, lifting the car to rescue one of the children who was trapped underneath. Sok attempted to resuscitate Harry, while others assisted with CPR before paramedics arrived.

The children were rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital but later died.

“We can’t sleep. When I close my eyes, I see my kids,” Sok said, adding she usually sleeps nestled between her children.

Katherine, who loved reading and painting, had been due to accept an award at kindergarten on Thursday, while Harry had just started walking and would follow his sister wherever she went.

“They are beautiful kids; they’re very smart,” Tha said.

Sok thanked bystanders who tried their best. The couple said they forgave the driver, and pleaded with motorists to look clearly and drive safely.

“We love them so much,” Sok said.

A small memorial has been set up along the busy road where the tragedy took place, with plush toys and a candle left.

Parents dropping off their children at Cabramatta West Public School, where Katherine attended, were in shock.

One mother, who asked that her surname not be used, has a daughter in the year above Katherine and has had to have a difficult conversation with her children about road safety.

“It’s really sad, those little ones, their lives being taken,” she said.

“Please, drive safely. Please, if it’s a school zone, slow down.”

The school will hold an assembly with parents at 1.20pm on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said support is available for any staff or students affected.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that has affected the local community and share their grief,” the spokesperson said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to family and friends of those impacted.”

An online fundraiser raised more than $34,000 in a matter of hours. Organiser Patrick Te said he set it up to support the family who has “been through the unimaginable”.

“A mother not only lost a child — she lost both of her children, her only two children,” he wrote.

“It doesn’t look like things will get any easier anytime soon — it’s a long road ahead, and they deserve all the help they can get.”

The 56-year-old man driving the car was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing. He was released pending further inquiries as police continue investigating the crash.

Investigators have spoken to four of the eight men who are believed to have assisted at the scene by lifting the SUV onto its side to rescue one of the children trapped underneath. Police are hoping to talk to the remaining responders.

They have also appealed for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

“It’s probably one of the most confronting scenes that police have come across dealing with young children,” Superintendent Timothy Calman told reporters on Wednesday evening.

“We’ve had a number of motorists that actually stopped and collectively have moved the vehicle onto its side, tipped the car over in order to get one of the children from underneath the vehicle. Other bystanders have assisted with CPR to assist the children and the children’s mother.”

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