Arabic version: مجتمع ملبورن ينعى طفلين قُتلا في انقلاب مركبة بباروان

According to ABC News, 11-year-old Ossama El Hawli and seven-year-old Sarah El Hawli died after a single-vehicle rollover at Parwan, west of Melbourne. Sarah died at the scene, while Ossama was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital with critical injuries and died overnight.

Victoria Police said seven children were inside the eight-seater vehicle when it rolled over. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Nerowie and Parwan-Exford roads just before 4:30pm on Tuesday. The vehicle was driven by a 34-year-old woman believed to be Ossama’s mother, who had just collected children from school.

Five other children — including a toddler, three primary-aged children and a teenager — were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Royal Children’s Hospital said on Wednesday that all five were in a stable condition. The driver was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for observation.

The Australian Islamic Centre described Ossama and Sarah, who were relatives, as “beloved young members of our community” and said their deaths had deeply affected the community. Al Iman College in Melton South said it was focused on supporting the children’s families. A funeral notice said the pair’s burials would be held on Thursday.

City of Melton mayor Lara Carli offered condolences to the family on behalf of the council. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the crash. Police have asked witnesses, or anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or information, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online report.