Rishwika Salibindla remembered as 'beautiful', 'cheeky' girl after driveway death
The family of a 21-month-old girl who was killed after she was hit by a car in the driveway of her family home has remembered her as a "beautiful", "cheeky" child.
Rishwika Salibindla's father Joseph Reddy Salibindla was at the wheel when he reversed an Audi SUV down the driveway of their home in Toongabbie, in Sydney's west, on his way to the supermarket yesterday afternoon.
He had not realised his daughter had followed him outside and was standing behind the car.
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Rishwika Salibindla has been remembered as a beautiful girl who was a little cheeky. Nine
Paramedics were called and her father tried to revive her, but Rishwika's injuries were too severe and she died at the scene.
Today her family told 9News they were "completely heartbroken".
"Her mother is inconsolable," the family said.
"It's every family's worst nightmare, but they come from a big church community and are supporting each other."
The father was taken for mandatory testing at Paramatta police station and the street was cordoned off from the concerned onlookers.
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Rishwika with her mother, who is said to be "inconsolable". 9News
The little girl died at the scene after she was struck by the family car. Nine
An investigation is underway and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Christine Erskine, the executive officer of Kidsafe NSW, said "something like this is very hard to recover from".
"Everyone in the community breaks their heart for the family and they will need support for a very long time," she said.
Police have interviewed the girl's father, who was driving the car. Nine
On average, around eight children under four die nationally from driveway accidents each year and another 60 are injured.
In a separate incident this morning, a three-year-old boy was struck by a car in Panania.
He remains in hospital in a serious condition after being hit by a yellow MG in Sydney's south.
A 56-year-old woman was driving and police do not believe she was known to the toddler.
She was taken for mandatory testing after the crash.
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