Fundraiser for parents of kids killed in pram crash raises more than $340k

A fundraiser for the parents of two young children killed after being hit by a car near a busy Sydney highway has raised more than $340,000.

Five-year-old Katherine and 14-month-old Harry were hit by a car turning from Gilbert Street onto the Cumberland Highway about 3.15pm on Wednesday while on their way home from Cabramatta West Public School.

Their mother, Sok Ram, was also hit as she pushed the pram carrying Harry while Katherine walked in front.

The children were rushed to Westmead Children’s Hospital, where they died shortly after.

Ram was treated for minor injuries.

An online fundraiser set up for the family two days ago has since raised more than $340,000.

The organiser, Patrick Te, released an update shortly after the total soared past $260,000, thanking more than 4000 donors for their contributions.

“May God richly bless your families and fill your lives with abundant joy, prosperity, and happiness. Your kindness has left me speechless.

“Even in the midst of this heartbreaking tragedy, what we’ve achieved together as a community makes my heart overflow.

“In the middle of such pain, we’ve created a small but powerful win — a testament to love, unity, and compassion.

“Please keep sharing her story. Let’s continue shining a light on what has shaken our nation to its core.

“You have no idea how deeply you’ve touched this family. Your love and support have become their lifeline.”

The top donation came from an anonymous source who poured in $5000.

Te also described the heartbreaking final moments before the crash.

“Their mother, Sok, was picking up Katherine from school. Katherine, who was in her first year of kindergarten, was excited to go home after just receiving an award,” he wrote.

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“As they were crossing the road together, heading back to the car, an oncoming vehicle suddenly struck both Katherine and the pram where Harry was sitting.”

Speaking to 9News yesterday, Ram and the children’s father Vundy Tha thanked the six witnesses who rushed to help flip the car over.

“Everyone tried to save them but … they’re not alive, they’re not alive. I can’t believe it,” Ram said.

“I think about when the car come, I wish it hit me and not my babies.”

Tha said even having lost their children, they forgave the driver, understanding that it was not intentional.

“For us as the parents, even though we lost our kids, I forgive,” he said.

“No one wants to kill the kids.

“We forgive everything.

“It’s not one kid, it’s both. They both beautiful kid.”

The 56-year-old driver, who was uninjured, was arrested but later released without charge.

Shortly after the incident, Superintendent Tim Calman called it “one of the most confronting scenes” police had seen, but added that the community were “phenomenal” in providing immediate help.

“We’ve had a number of motorists that actually stopped and have collectively moved the vehicle on its side ... to get one of the children from underneath the vehicle.”

Calman said multiple onlookers performed CPR on the children.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the tragedy had hit the community incredibly hard.

“It’s going to take a long time to come back from,” Minns said.

Crash investigators are reviewing security footage of the lead-up to the collision, trying to piece together how it unfolded.