A child has died after being hit by a car in a church carpark in Melbourne’s east on Saturday night.
Police said the crash happened in the NewHope Baptist Church carpark on Springfield Road in Blackburn North at about 6.45pm.
Paramedics treated the child, but they died at the scene.
The driver stopped and is assisting police, who are yet to establish the circumstances of the crash.
Gina Menelaou, who owns a fruit shop opposite the church with her husband, Nick, said she was working when she heard screams just after 6.30pm.
“I didn’t know what was happening, I just heard women screaming, I thought it was a fight or something,” Menelaou said.
Police are yet to determine the circumstances of the crash.Credit: Nine News
“It’s just terrible, I feel so sad for the parents,” she said.
The local grocer said the tragedy came a year after a vehicle crashed through their shop, hospitalising a customer and injury others.
“We are shocked that this has happened again; it makes you feel like what is else is going to happen around here,” said Nick Menelaou.
The NewHope Baptist Church said a private function was being held in the church function room on Saturday evening and no church members were in attendance.
A child has died after being hit by a car in a church car park in Melbourne’s east. Credit: Nine News
Reverend Katrina Lambert, associate senior pastor of the church, said the space was regularly hired for private functions and community events.
“No incidents have ever happened here or in the car park,” said Lambert.
“Our hearts go out to the family affected and as a community, we are holding them in our prayers. We will be praying for the family in the Sunday service and all of those affected to acknowledge the tragedy,” she said.
Last week, two children in Melbourne’s west were hospitalised after they were struck by a car while playing soccer in a laneway. Police say the driver, a Vietnamese national who had been in Australia for less than a week, had confused the accelerator for the brake pedal.
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
More to come.
