Two children killed in Sydney crash; parents forgive driver; community responds
Consensus Summary
Two children, five-year-old Katherine and 14-month-old Harry, were killed in a crash in Cabramatta, Sydney, on June 18, 2026, after being struck by a car while crossing the street with their mother, Sok Ram. The driver, a 56-year-old man, was uninjured and taken for mandatory drug and alcohol testing but not charged. Bystanders attempted to save the children by lifting the car and performing CPR, with police praising their efforts. The family, devastated by the loss, has forgiven the driver, though they grieve deeply. Katherine was due to receive an award at school the following Friday, and a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family had raised over $115,000 by the next day. The tragedy has deeply affected the community, with memorials and tributes appearing at the crash site.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Two children, Katherine (5) and Harry (1), were killed when hit by a car in Cabramatta, Sydney’s south-west, on 2026-06-18 at approximately 3:15 PM.
- The children were with their mother, Sok Ram (33), who was pushing Harry in a pram while walking with Katherine after kindergarten.
- The driver, a 56-year-old man, was uninjured, taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and not charged by police.
- Bystanders attempted to rescue the children by lifting the car and performing CPR, with police praising their 'phenomenal' efforts.
- The crash occurred at the intersection of Joseph and Gilbert Street, Cabramatta.
- A GoFundMe fundraiser for the family had raised over $115,000 by 2026-06-19.
- Katherine was due to receive an award at school on 2026-06-21 (Friday) for her academic achievements.
- NSW Police Superintendent Tim Calman commended the public for moving the vehicle to free the children and assisting with CPR.
- The NSW Department of Education provided support to the affected school community.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The father, Vundy Tha, described Katherine as 'smart' and said the family forgives the driver, stating, 'Nothing can change, you know? Nothing can change.'
- Sok Ram said, 'I feel my life is success but now empty. Nothing, nothing to me now. I can’t do anything.'
- The driver was described as having been 'arrested' (though not charged) and underwent mandatory testing.
- A memorial with tributes was set up at the crash site, including candles and plush toys.
- The GoFundMe fundraiser was described as having been set up by Patrick Te, who detailed the split-second nature of the crash.
- Premier Chris Minns called the tragedy 'one of those tragedies that hit the community incredibly hard.'
- The memorial included two mandarins among the tributes.
- The article noted Sok Ram usually slept between her children, emphasizing the emotional impact of their loss.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the driver was 'arrested' before testing, while The Guardian does not mention an arrest, only that he was 'taken to hospital for mandatory testing.'
Source Articles
'I forgive him': Heartbroken parents speak after children killed in crash
The heartbroken parents of two children killed when they were hit by a car in Sydney's south-west yesterday have spoken of their shock, saying they forgive the driver.
‘I wish it hit me’: Sydney mother shares anguish after children in pram hit and killed by car
Katherine, five, and brother Harry, 14 months, died on Wednesday after their pram was hit by an SUV in Cabramatta Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A tight-knit community is reeling after a kindergarten student and her baby brother were killed when an SUV collided with a pram shortly after school pick-up. The girl and her brother have been identified as Katherine, five, and Harry, aged 14 months – the only two children of 33-year-old mother Sok Ram. Continue reading...