'Overwhelming': Sydney school sends nationwide thanks following fatal crash

The primary school in Sydney's west where two students died when a car crashed into a classroom has thanked the general public for its 'overwhelming' support.

Combo image: Flowers placed outside Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre, Sydney, Wednesday, November 8 (L), and letters received by the school (R)

Combo image: Flowers placed outside Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre, Sydney, Wednesday, November 8 (L), and letters received by the school (R) Source: AAP

Banksia Road Public School in the western Sydney suburb of Greenacre thanked the general public for its tributes following the November 7 incident where an SUV careered into a classroom, killing two boys.

The school posted photos of some of the tributes it received from people across the country, along with its statement of thanks.

"BRPS would like to thank the entire Australian community for their overwhelming support after the tragic accident that occurred on the 7th November 2017," a statement posted to the school's Facebook page on December 19 read.

"These photos represent some of the many and varied heartfelt tributes the school received from the community to honour the memory of the two fine students, sadly no longer with us."
People who witnessed the tragedy said children were left screaming for their parents.

"Suddenly I heard this crash," student Shiloh Nakauta said following the incident.

"I started to get all worried, and I saw my friend... coming out, covered in blood and then I saw another boy who couldn't wake up."

"Just heard a 'bang' in the classroom, and we thought it was nothing," another student Remis Shehavalden said.

"Then the teachers screamed to us 'leave everything'.

"I was super scared."
Banksia Road Public School 2017 has thanked the Australian community after a car crashed into one of its classrooms, killing two students.
Banksia Road Public School 2017 has thanked the Australian community after a car crashed into one of its classrooms, killing two students. Source: BRPS/Facebook
Paramedics arrived to  "scene of carnage" with "distressed and overwhelmed children and teachers", NSW Ambulance superintendent Stephanie Radnidge told reporters at the time.

It was "pandemonium", Supt Radnidge said.

A vigil was held in the immediate aftermath of the crash, and tributes of flowers, soft toys and candles have been left outside the school in a makeshift memorial.

Jihad Dib, the NSW member for Lakemba, said at the time that there would be an investigation into how the crash occurred.

"There's a whole heap of questions that are asked and will still [need] to be asked," he told reporters.

"Obviously there will be an investigation and with that investigation there'll be a series of questions, you know, how did this happen, how do you avoid something like this?"
Banksia Road Public School 2017 has thanked the Australian community after a car crashed into one of its classrooms, killing two students.
Banksia Road Public School 2017 has thanked the Australian community after a car crashed into one of its classrooms, killing two students. Source: BRPS/Facebook
Maha Al-Shennag, 52, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of negligent driving occasioning death.

She was also charged with causing bodily harm by misconduct and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm in relation to two other injured people.

-With AAP


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'Overwhelming': Sydney school sends nationwide thanks following fatal crash | SBS News