Updated ,first published
Sarah El Hawli, 7, and Ossama El Hawli, 11, have been identified as the two children who died after a car ran off the road and rolled in Melbourne’s western fringe on Tuesday.
The Australian Islamic Centre confirmed the identity of the two victims following Tuesday’s vehicle crash near Bacchus Marsh.
“Their loss has deeply affected our entire […] community. Our hearts are with their parents, family and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss,” the Islamic Centre said in a statement.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting the family through this incredibly difficult time and assisting with the funeral and burial arrangements.”
A 34-year-old woman had just picked up children from school before her 4WD ran off the road and “inexplicably” rolled onto a nature strip about 4.28pm, police said.
Seven-year-old Sarah was pronounced dead at the scene while Ossama died overnight in hospital.
Melton South’s Al Iman College said the victims had been members of their school’s community.
A spokesperson declined to comment further, other than to say the college was “focused on supporting the family” and asked the community to respect their privacy as they grieved.
A relative of the children said Sarah had received a student of the week award in the hours before the crash.
“She was the smartest kid at school,” he said. “She was an angel… she is an angel now.”
“I’m just shocked, I can’t believe she’s gone. We tried to go there, and [police] wouldn’t let us see her, but they let my daughter, she saw her.”
The scale of the crash required a huge response from emergency services. Two air ambulances and nine paramedic crews were dispatched to the area, transporting seven people to hospital.
Three boys were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital, two of them in the air ambulances with upper- and lower-body injuries, with one of the two in a critical condition. The third boy was taken in an ambulance with upper-body injuries in a stable condition.
A further three children – a female toddler with minor injuries, and a teenage boy and primary school-aged boy with upper-body injuries – were taken to Sunshine Hospital, all in a stable condition.
On Wednesday morning, the children’s hospital said the patients being treated there were stable.
The driver was taken by ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition. That hospital has been contacted for comment.
On Wednesday morning, shattered windscreen glass remained on the roadside. A single black sneaker, belonging to a child, lay nearby.
Local farmer John Bibby, whose fence was cut by responders to try to reach the children, said the nearby road was in good condition compared with other parts in the area.
“It’s just horrible – especially when kids are involved,” he said.
Detective Sergeant Tony Gentile said police were still investigating the circumstances of the crash.
“From my understanding, the scene was quite hectic, people everywhere. Witnesses who witnessed it, they stopped and rendered assistance,” he said.
“Obviously, with seven children, they were distressed, and they were cared for by paramedics, members of the public and police.”
“This is just a really sad set of circumstances. Really very sad.”
Police said it was not apparent that drugs or alcohol were involved and have urged anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to contact police.
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