Driver released after car crash through school fence in Hawthorn East kills one child and injures four

The 40-year-old female driver who crashed through a Melbourne primary school fence on Tuesday afternoon, killing one child and injuring four, has been released pending further inquiries.

The driver was collecting her child from Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East at about 2.50pm when the crash occurred.

The education department told the ABC shortly after the incident the driver was believed to have suffered a medical episode, however police said it was too early to determine the exact reason.

Two girls, 11, and one 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were taken to hospital, where they remained in a serious but stable condition overnight.

An 11-year-old boy suffered critical injuries and died while being transported to hospital, Victoria Police said.

The driver performed a U-turn and crashed through the fence into a table where the five children were seated, police said in an incident they described as a “tragic accident”.

The woman and her child were not injured.

Following the incident, the driver was arrested and interviewed by police, Inspector Craig McEvoy said.

A Department of Education spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au: “Our thoughts are right now with the entire Auburn South Primary School community.”

“We are working closely with staff, students and parents of the school to support them during this deeply distressing time.

“We will provide further information as soon as we can.”

Witness details ‘devastating’ scene

Nathan Fong, who owns a coffee shop opposite the school and is father to a child who attends it, said he first noticed something was wrong when he saw police, ambulances and helicopters surrounding the building.

He said he was initially confused about what was going on but was devastated once he found out what had occurred.

“Everyone was quite sad,” Fong said.

“We saw the kids coming back crying with their parents and then the parents were discussing what happened at the school and I think everyone was trying to help out.”

Fong said his son did not witness the incident and was coping.

Performing a U-turn outside the school wasn’t common, he said, but parents often had a hard time parking during the school pick-up rush.

“We don’t have spots to park and there are ... zones where we can’t park outside the school so it is a bit of an issue for parents.”

Parents and children were seen visiting the school on Wednesday morning, laying bouquets of flowers near a fence.

Locals told 7NEWS they were shaken by the incident.

“It’s devastating, not just for the kids — I hope they’re OK — but for the parents, it’s the last thing they want to hear, that their child has been struck by a car,” one man said.

A mother, who said her children will eventually attend the school, said the crash was “terrifying, far too close to home”.

“It’s a beautiful school, little kids, you just don’t think these things will happen ... I’m a bit shaken, really.

“You just wonder, do you know the families (involved)?”

Premier sends her ‘deepest condolences’

Speaking on Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan offered her condolences to the parents of the children involved in the incident and said it was important for the community to rally behind the school.

“It is a very, very sad day and if I can at the outset provide my deepest condolences to the family and the school community who are grieving the loss of a beautiful little boy today,” she said.

“This certainly is something that is being felt right across the state by parents and families and communities right across Victoria.”

She said it was “far too soon” to speculate on what caused the crash.

While there are traffic management measures around schools, including lower speed limits, Allan said she would consider any additional recommendations made by police following their investigation.

“There are pedestrian crossings, so there is already a range of measures, but certainly we need to let the investigation happen,” she said.

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll said he was monitoring the situation, while Opposition Leader and local MP John Pesutto described the incident as a “painful shock”.

The car had a green P-plate, but Inspector Craig McEvoy said he was not certain of the woman’s licence status.

“It appears it is a tragic accident,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing.

- With AAP