Outpouring of grief for dad killed by an out of control car at a Melbourne school

A "close-knit" school community has been left devastated after a car ploughed through a fence at pick-up time and killed a parent.

The car crashed through a fence at the back of St Leonard's College in Brighton East on Tuesday afternoon, running down a 43-year-old father who was waiting for his children.

The man died at the scene, and the driver, a woman in her 70s, is assisting police.

The college said in a statement on Wednesday the car lost control at the school drop-off zone, ploughing into the school yard, killing the parent.

A number of students and staff witnessed the accident and counsellors and chaplains worked through the night to provide support, the school said.

"This tragic accident has deeply affected our very close-knit community, and we offer the family and friends of the deceased the heartfelt sympathies of the college."