Boy, 11, found dead in car crash at primary school in Australia

The principal of an Australian primary school has called the death of an 11-year-old boy in a car crash a “complete tragedy.”

A car drove off the road on the outskirts of Hawthorn East Melbourneand crashed into a fence into an outdoor table where five children were sitting at just after 2:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

Jack Davey (11) was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died.

Two girls aged 11, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were also seriously injured and taken to hospital, Victoria Police said.

Marcus Wicher, principal of Auburn South Elementary School, said the crash could “only be described as a complete tragedy.”

He added: “Our thoughts and sincere sympathy are with Jack’s family and friends, as well as the four students who remain in hospital.”

The driver of the car, a 40-year-old woman, was returning her child from school and hit a fence.

She was arrested at the scene and has since been released pending further investigation. The child traveling in the car was not injured.

Speaking about the disaster, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said “a dark shadow has fallen over our city and state.”

She added: “I know Victorians will be thinking about Auburn South Primary School tonight and holding our children even closer.”

Meanwhile, Director Wicher also praised the emergency services that arrived at the scene of the accident, as well as the staff and parents.

He said: “The response from our local community has been overwhelming and I would like to thank everyone who has made such generous offers of support.”

“The school community is wonderful and strong and we will get through this together,” he added.

“It appears to have been a tragic accident,” said Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy of the force’s Major Investigations Unit.

The video from the scene shows that the car has damage to the left front.

The police are investigating the exact circumstances of what happened.