Two children hit by cars outside Rouse Hill Public School before fatal Islah tragedy

Five months before Student Correctional was killed in the devastating crash on October 30, two children were hit by a car outside Rouse Hill Public School.

NSW Ambulance and Police confirmed both of the previous incidents occurred in May on Aberdour Boulevard, which connects to the catchment area outside the school in Sydney’s north-west.

On May 23, three ambulance units rushed to the street just after 3.30pm after reports that a child had been hit by a car.

Paramedics examined the seven-year-old and took him to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for a leg injury.

Then a week later, on 30 October, paramedics were called again to Aberdour Avenue at 3.30pm.

A child was injured in the incident while getting into his parents’ car.

Medical teams took the child, who did not suffer any injuries, to Westmead.

NSW Police told NewsWire no charges have been laid in relation to either incident.

These two incidents occurred before the devastating crash last month that claimed the life of five-year-old Islah.

The girl was hit by a ute outside the school at around 3.45pm.

Paramedics took him to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition, where he later died.

A member of Islah’s family said that the little girl was returning home at the time of the tragedy.

“During a normal afternoon after-school pickup, our sweet girl was riding her little scooter down the trail and in the excitement of getting home, the unimaginable happened,” Jessica shared as part of her fundraising appeal for the family.

“He was hit by a car coming out of the driveway.”

The ABC reports that a parent in Rouse Hill has started a petition calling for greater road safety around the school following the crashes and Reclamation tragedy in May.

The petition calls for face-to-face meetings between parents and the school about safety plans, ABC reports and permanent mirrors to cover blind spots in the area.

It is also calling on Hills Shire Council to install permanent traffic cameras at the school’s vehicle entry and exit points and at traffic lights at the junction of Adelphi St and Aberdour Ave.

Aberdour Ave is owned by Hills Shire Council, the local authority area which includes the school and surrounding streets.

In a statement, Hills Shire confirmed it was investigating pedestrian crossing options for Aberdour Boulevard.

“Council officials met with the Department of Education and Rouse Hill Public School in early June to discuss road and pedestrian issues,” a spokesperson told NewsWire on Friday.

“This meeting was held before the council was briefed on two previous incidents involving students when NSW Police crossed Aberdour Boulevard.

“Pedestrian crossing options for Aberdour Boulevard have been discussed.

“The council is exploring transit options along Aberdour Ave near the Clower Ave intersection to serve the school and bus stops on this road.”

The spokesman said the community had raised concerns about traffic and parking management around the school to the council.

“Rouse Hill Public School is one of the most challenging school traffic environments in The Hills Shire, which is reflected in the fact that it is the sixth largest state primary school in NSW with 1198 students,” the spokesperson said.

“The council recognizes that this is twice the enrollment limit previously set for the school.

“The council has provided the school with Kiss and Drop coverings for bollards, school car park banners and corbels, and has assisted the school in providing transport to Transport for NSW to install an additional school zone at 40km/h at pedestrian signals on Mile End Rd in mid-2021.”

Starting last Thursday, the Department for Education began funding four traffic controllers to support the school during rush hour.

The devastation caused by Islah’s death spread throughout society.

The morning after the accident, a row of flowers were left at the school gate by mourners.

Attorney General Michelle Rowland, whose electorate includes Rouse Hill, said she was “deeply saddened” to hear of the girl’s tragic loss.

“My thoughts are with his family at this heartbreaking time,” he said.

The 43-year-old driver was taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing following the collision.

Both the ute and scooter were seized for forensic examination.

No charges were filed regarding the accident.