The principal speaks out after the tragic accident on the school playground in which a student died: “Extraordinary”

The principal of a Melbourne school at the center of a tragic schoolyard accident has spoken of the “overwhelming” community response to the crash that killed an 11-year-old boy and injured four others.

Auburn South Primary School principal Marcus Wicher addressed the media on Wednesday morning after Victoria Police confirmed they had released a 40-year-old woman without charge.

Reading the statement, Wicher said the accident was a “total tragedy” and added that the school’s thoughts were with the family of the deceased child and the children whose children were injured.

He said the “courage and concern” shown by staff and parents who responded after Tuesday afternoon’s accident “can only be described as extraordinary.”

“The response from our local community has been overwhelming,” Wicher said. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has provided such generous offers of support.”

He described the school community as “wonderful and strong” and said “we will get through this.”

Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll observes the laying of flowers outside the school.

Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll (pictured) and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the school on Wednesday. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

The incident occurred after the 40-year-old woman had just picked up her child from Auburn South Primary School in east Melbourne.

When she tried to turn around, the car crashed through the school fence and hit a group of children sitting at a table.

As a result of the accident, an 11-year-old boy suffered serious injuries 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.

The two children are being cared for at the Royal Children’s Hospital, which says their condition is stable. Two other people were taken to Monash Medical Center.

A car is seen after driving through a fence at Auburn South Elementary School.

The incident happened at Auburn South Primary School in east Melbourne after the woman had just picked up her child from school. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT

“Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare”

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said she had not yet spoken to the family of the deceased 11-year-old but had contacted Wicher after the accident, who had a “really difficult” conversation with the boy’s mother.

“It was a really difficult conversation for the principal, who conveyed to (Deputy Prime Minister) Ben (Carroll) and me how strong the family is in the most difficult of times,” Allan said. “And… he really expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of support that has already been pouring in from the school community.”

Appearing alongside Allan, Carroll, who is also the state’s education minister, said the accident was “every parent’s worst nightmare”.

“One thing I have learned over the last 12 months as Education Minister is that when tragedy or difficult circumstances strike at the heart of a school, the school community surrounds the school and does everything I can to support it,” Carroll said.

Caroll and Allan visited Auburn South Elementary School on Wednesday and said 25 teachers from neighboring schools would be there to provide support to the school community. There was also pastoral care and counseling.

Three policemen are walking next to two parked cars.

The driver who caused the accident has already been released. Source: AAP / Joel Carretta

On Tuesday, investigators worked until late in the evening to determine the circumstances of the accident. Victoria Police Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said it appeared to be a “tragic accident”.

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

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

The woman and child traveling in the car were not injured.

According to reports from the Australian Associated Press.