'Deeply devastating': Community mourns five-year-old girl killed in crash outside Sydney primary school
Floral tributes have been laid outside of a primary school in Sydney's north-west after a child was hit by a ute coming out of a driveway yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Rouse Hill Public School shortly before 4pm yesterday, where police were told a five-year-old girl had been riding a scooter on a footpath when she was struck by the vehicle.
Paramedics treated her at the scene before taking her to Westmead Children's Hospital in a critical condition.
READ MORE: Cricket stars make touching tribute to Victorian teen killed in training tragedy
Floral tributes have been laid outside of Rouse Hill Public School in Sydney's north-west. 9News
Early this morning, police announced the girl had died.
Department of Education secretary Mirat Dizdar said the loss was "deeply devastating for the entire school community".
"I saw that firsthand," Dizdar said.
READ MORE: Millions facing storms 'every day' for nearly a week
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 4pm yesterday. 9News
The 42-year-old driver is a father who was picking up his children.
He underwent mandatory testing and was released without charge.
"My heart goes out to the driver too," one mother at the school said.
READ MORE: Family, community in shock after woman killed in lightning strike
The community is in shock after the crash outside of Rouse Hill Public School. 9News
In a joint statement, Mark Speakman, Sarah Mitchell and Ray Williams from the NSW state opposition said the tragedy would "shake the community to its core".
"Our hearts ache for the family and friends of the little girl who lost her life outside Rouse Hill Public School," the statement said,
"We are thinking of her loved ones, her classmates and the teachers and parents who are mourning today.
"Our deepest thanks go to the paramedics, police and hospital staff who acted with courage and compassion in the most heartbreaking circumstances.
"We also want to thank the Department of Education staff who are supporting the school community through this difficult time."
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
