A mother has described her heartbreak after both of her young children were killed when an SUV struck their pram in Sydney’s south-west. Sok Ram, 33, was crossing a street in Cabramatta with her daughter Katherine, five, and son Harry, 14 months, on Wednesday afternoon when the vehicle hit them.
Speaking at the scene on Thursday, Ram told Nine News: “I think about when the car came … I wish it hit me, not my baby and daughter.” She said she usually slept between her children: “My heart, it breaks, empty now, it’s gone, everything is gone … I want my kids [to] come back.”
The children’s father, Vundy Tha, described them as “beautiful kids, very smart” and said the family forgave the driver, urging motorists to drive safely. Katherine had just been picked up from kindergarten after receiving an award, according to a GoFundMe set up by Patrick Te, which has raised over $115,000.
Police said a number of witnesses tried to rescue the children but were unsuccessful. Paramedics treated them at the scene and they were taken to hospital in a critical condition, where they died shortly after. The driver, a 56-year-old man, was uninjured and taken for mandatory testing. The crash investigation team is looking into the incident.
New South Wales Police Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman praised the community response: “We’ve had a number of motorists that actually stopped and collectively have moved the vehicle on to its side … and other bystanders have assisted with CPR.” Premier Chris Minns said the tragedy had “hit the community incredibly hard”. A small memorial of candles, plush toys and two mandarins has been placed at the crash site.
