Deadly school-run crash kills seven children in Melbourne’s west
Consensus Summary
A single-vehicle rollover crash west of Melbourne killed two children, 11-year-old Ossama El Hawli and seven-year-old Sarah El Hawli, after a 34-year-old woman driving an eight-seater 4WD lost control at the intersection of Nerowie Rd and Parwan-Exford Rd around 4:30pm on Tuesday. Seven children were in the vehicle, including five others who suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Sarah died at the scene, while Ossama was airlifted to hospital and died overnight. The driver remains under observation. Emergency services responded with multiple helicopters and paramedic crews, and the Australian Islamic Centre confirmed the children were beloved members of their community, with funerals scheduled for Thursday. Police are investigating the crash, which occurred during a school run, and have ruled out speed, drugs, or alcohol as factors. The crash has deeply affected the local community, particularly the families of the victims and the school they attended, Al Iman College in Melton South.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Seven children were in the vehicle when it rolled over west of Melbourne
- Two children died: 11-year-old Ossama El Hawli and seven-year-old Sarah El Hawli
- Sarah El Hawli died at the scene, while Ossama El Hawli was airlifted to hospital and died overnight
- Five other children (including a toddler, three primary-aged children, and a teenager) were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
- The crash occurred at the intersection of Nerowie Rd and Parwan-Exford Rd in Parwan at approximately 4:30pm on Tuesday
- A 34-year-old woman, the driver, was taken to hospital for observation
- The funeral for Ossama and Sarah El Hawli is scheduled for tomorrow/Thursday
- The children attended Al Iman College in Melton South, about 8km from the crash site
- Police ruled out speed, drugs, or alcohol as contributing factors to the crash
- Emergency services included two Air Ambulance Victoria helicopters, multiple paramedic crews, and seven Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic crews
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The vehicle was an eight-seater 4WD driven by a mother who had just picked up children from school
- The Royal Children's Hospital confirmed all five other children were in stable condition
- Crime Stoppers number 1800 333 000 was provided for witnesses to contact
- The crash happened at Parwan, west of Melbourne, and was described as 'inexplicable' by police
- The vehicle flipped several times before stopping
- The driver revealed she swerved to avoid rocks on the road before the crash
- The scene was described as 'hectic' with many witnesses and first responders
- The crash was referred to as 'Tuesday’s tragic accident' in the Australian Islamic Centre’s statement
- Sarah El Hawli was recognized as 'student of the week' before the crash
- Three boys were taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital (two by air ambulance, one by ambulance), with one in critical condition
- A female toddler, a teenage boy, and a primary school-aged boy were taken to Sunshine Hospital, all stable
- A relative said Sarah was 'the smartest kid at school' and described her as an 'angel'
- Shattered windscreen glass and a child’s black sneaker were found at the scene on Wednesday morning
- A local farmer noted the road was in good condition compared to other areas
- Reference to a May 2023 incident involving 13 children and 45 primary school students on the same road
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC and 7NEWS state the crash occurred at 4:30pm yesterday/Tuesday, but THEAGE says it occurred at 4:28pm
- ABC and 7NEWS describe the funeral as scheduled for 'tomorrow,' while 7NEWS also explicitly states it is on 'Thursday,' creating ambiguity in timing
- THEAGE mentions 'nine paramedic crews' were dispatched, while ABC specifies 'two MICA paramedic crews and seven ALS paramedic crews,' with no overlap in phrasing
Source Articles
Melbourne mosque community mourns children killed in crash
The deaths of Ossama El Hawli, 11, and Sarah El Hawli, seven, in a car crash have rocked an Islamic community in Melbourne's west.
Parwan crash: Driver, 34, reveals moments before rollover that killed her son and niece
The mother was driving seven children home from school when the 4WD crashed.
Ossama El Hawli, 11, and Sarah El Hawli, 7, identified as victims of Parwan rollover west of Melbourne
They were being driven home from school with five other children when the 4WD rolled.
Sarah, 7, was just recognised as student of the week. She died on the drive home from school
The seven-year-old died when a car ran off the road in Melbourne’s western fringe after school pick-up, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring six others.
More Lifestyle stories
Australia's property market downturn and economic factors affecting housing prices in 2026
Sydney home invasion mistaken identity shooting of Marco Tapia investigated as gangland crime
Lachie Neale's alleged affair with Tess Crosley and its impact on his marriage to Jules Neale
Funeral of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby and related murder investigation
Australia's property market slowdown due to tax reforms and rate hikes
Death of a 23-year-old man after suspected dog attack at Sydney property
Latest cross-verified stories
Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder trial and its aftermath
Oasis reunion tour documentary 'Don’t Look Back in Anger' captures 2025 comeback and Gallagher brothers' reconciliation
Death of Blanche d'Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke
Norway's King Harald V funeral and national mourning
AI researchers warn of existential risks from superintelligence, call for urgent regulation
Radiohead announces 2027 Australian and Japanese tour with ticket registration details
Browse all stories from September 2026 in the archive.