Two children have died and five others remain hospitalized following a devastating single-vehicle rollover west of Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon, according to emergency services and local community reports. The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Nerowie Road and Parwan-Exford Road in Parwan.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
The vehicle ultimately came to rest on the grass between the roadway and a nearby paddock.
Eleven-year-old Ossama El Hawli was flown to hospital with critical injuries and died overnight.
Five other children sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment. The 34-year-old driver, who had picked the children up from school prior to the incident, was hospitalized for observation.
Community Grief and Police Investigation
The Australian Islamic Centre released a statement on Wednesday formally identifying the children and expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy.
Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are actively examining the circumstances surrounding the crash. Victoria Police Detective Sergeant Tony Gentile told reporters at the scene that the vehicle “inexplicably rolled” and noted that the immediate aftermath was hectic as witnesses and family members arrived to assist.
Investigators have confirmed that neither speed nor alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the rollover. Police have appealed to any members of the public who possess dashcam footage or additional information regarding the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
