The family of two “beloved” children killed in a single-vehicle crash west of Melbourne says the tragedy still feels “impossible to comprehend”.
Ossama El Hawli, 11, and Sarah El Hawli, 7, were among seven children being driven home from school when the eight-seater 4WD they were travelling in rolled at the intersection of Nerowie Rd and Parwan-Exford Rd in Parwan about 4.30pm on Tuesday.
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7NEWS understands the 34-year-old female driver told family she swerved to avoid rocks on the road before the crash.
The vehicle flipped several times before coming to a stop.
Sarah, the driver’s niece, died at the scene despite efforts to revive her.
Ossama, the driver’s son, was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition but died overnight.
The family of two children killed in a Parwan crash issued a powerful statement two days after the tragic incident. Credit: 7NEWS
The five other children were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver was taken to hospital for observation.
The El Hawli family said the loss of Ossama and Sarah was something “no family can ever be prepared for”.
“We are trying to come to terms with something that still feels impossible to comprehend, and we ask Allah to give us the strength and patience to carry what has been written for us,” the family said in a statement on Thursday.
“Ossama and Sarah were deeply loved, and they will remain forever in our hearts.
“Our faith teaches us that every soul belongs to Allah and returns to Him. Even in our deepest grief, we hold onto prayer, patience and trust in His mercy.
“We take comfort in believing that Ossama and Sarah are in the care of the Most Merciful, and we pray that they are granted the highest place in Paradise.”
The single-vehicle crash has ‘deeply affected’ the Australian Islamic Centre community. Credit: 7NEWS
The family also expressed their “deepest gratitude” to the first responders and hospital staff who tried to save the children.
“In a moment of chaos and unimaginable fear, you stood beside our family and did everything you could, and for that we will always be grateful,” the family said.
Students ‘deeply affected’ by deaths of classmates
Al Iman College in Melton South, where Sarah was a Year 2 student, said the school community was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.
“Al Iman College is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our beloved Year 2A student, Sarah El Hawli, and Ossama El Hawli, whose siblings are members of our College community,” the school said in a statement on Thursday.
“Sarah was a cherished member of Al Iman College, and this tragedy has deeply affected her classmates, friends, teachers and our wider school community.
“May Allah SWT grant Sarah and Ossama Jannatul Firdous, grant their families patience, strength and comfort, and grant complete healing to those who were injured.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and Ossama’s families and all those affected by this devastating tragedy.
“We also continue to pray for the full recovery of the children who were injured.”
The vehicle flipped several times before coming to a stop. Credit: 7NEWS
Counselling and wellbeing support has been made available to students, families and staff.
“As a community of faith, we are supporting one another through prayer, compassion and care,” the school said.
Community gathers to farewell children
The Australian Islamic Centre said Sarah and Ossama were due to be farewelled at a funeral service on Thursday.
“It is with profound sadness that the Australian Islamic Centre mourns the passing of Ossama El Hawli (11) & Sarah El Hawli (7), two beloved young members of our community, following Tuesday’s tragic accident in Parwan,” it said in a statement.
“Their loss has deeply affected our entire AIC community.
“Our hearts are with their parents, family and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss.
“We pray that Allah Us surrounds both children with His infinite mercy, grants them the highest ranks of Jannah, and grants their parents and loved ones immense patience, strength and comfort.”
Paramedics at the scene of the crash. Credit: 7NEWS
Footage captured by the 7NEWS helicopter showed paramedics and other first responders working at the scene, where family members could be seen crying.
Detective Sergeant Tony Gentile described the scene as “hectic”.
“From my understanding, the scene was quite hectic, people everywhere, witnesses who witnessed it; they stopped and rendered assistance,” he said.
“Obviously, with seven children, they were distressed, and they were cared for by paramedics, members of the public and police.
“This is just a really sad set of circumstances. We ask the public to drive to the conditions and be mindful of their surroundings.”
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing and anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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