TRAGEDY STRIKES IN WANTIRNA: Young Girl Dies, Brother Clings to Life After Horrific Car Crash in Melbourne’s East
- A devastating car crash in Wantirna South claims the life of an 11-year-old girl, leaving her four-year-old brother fighting for his life
- The siblings were in the back seat of their family’s Toyota Corolla when it collided with another vehicle on Thursday night
- Police are investigating whether the children were unrestrained in the back seat, and are urging parents to ensure their kids are properly buckled up
A heart-wrenching tragedy has unfolded in Melbourne’s east, where a horrific car crash has claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl and left her four-year-old brother clinging to life.
The siblings were in the back seat of their family’s Toyota Corolla when it collided with another vehicle at the corner of High Street Rd and Wallace Rd in Wantirna South around 8.20pm on Thursday. The girl sustained life-threatening injuries and tragically died overnight, while her younger brother was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Their 38-year-old mother, who was driving, was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the father, also 38, was unharmed. A witness described the scene as “harrowing,” saying the mother was seen carrying the boy while paramedics performed CPR on the girl.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill from the Major Collision Investigation Unit issued a stark warning to parents, urging them to ensure their children are properly restrained in the back seat. “Even on short trips, please make sure your children are properly restrained in appropriate restraints in the back seat,” he said. “They are in your hands, and hopefully we can avoid another tragedy like this.”
The two 18-year-old men in the Nissan sustained minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment. They stopped to help at the scene.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage from anyone who was driving in the area prior to the crash. The investigation is ongoing.