Aluel Ajak, 9, dies after being hit by a car in Werribee, Melbourne
Tragic backstory behind nine-year-old who was hit by a car and killed in Melbourne after jumping from the window of her mother’s house
- Aluel Ajak murdered in Werribee, South West Melbourne
- Nine-year-old girl was hit by a car on Shaws Road
A nine-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car in southwest Melbourne is remembered by loved ones as ‘beautiful’ and ‘brave’.
Aluel Ajak was hit by a driver at about 9.15pm on Wednesday on Shaws Road in Werribee, 20 miles southwest of Melbourne’s CBD.
The nine-year-old, who was non-verbal and had autism, ran into the road after breaking the screen on her mother’s bedroom window.
Her mother, Atit Deng, said her daughter did not see the danger of oncoming traffic and had already run into the road several times.
Despite the best efforts of attending paramedics, Aluel died at the scene.
Aluel Ajak, 9, was hit by a car at about 9.15pm on Wednesday on Shaws Road in Werribee, 20 miles southwest of Melbourne’s CBD (pictured is Alue with her mother Atit)
The nine-year-old, who was non-verbal and had autism, ran into the road after removing the fly screen window in her mother’s bedroom
Ms. Deng had put locks on the doors to prevent her daughter from escaping after the little girl ran into the road about a year ago.
“I forgot that Aluel can jump out the window because she did it last year and she didn’t do it again,” she told the Announce sun.
‘(Aluel) is the one who saved me, night, day. She was a beautiful girl. She couldn’t speak, but I love her.’
The grief-stricken mother of four struggles to come to terms with the loss of Aluel.
She was just making a cup of tea when she heard sirens outside her house and remembers “screaming” after discovering the open window.
Ms. Deng said three police officers came to her door to break the devastating news about her daughter, who they believe could not be saved.
She now wishes she had been in the room with Aluel before she escaped.
Koni, Aluel’s older sister, said her “brave” sister loved jumping on the trampoline.
“(She was) someone who was very brave, I never saw her scared,” she said.
Despite the best efforts of attending paramedics, Aluel died at the scene. Police have launched an investigation into the accident (pictured, police on scene on Wednesday)
The woman driving the car stopped to help and assist with police investigations.
A local resident said they heard the driver “screaming” for help shortly after the accident.
A woman in her 50s was taken to nearby Werribee Hospital for observation, an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.
Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit have launched an investigation into the crash and will remain at the scene on Thursday.
Local residents have left flowers at the intersection of Shaws Road and Glenda Street.
Anyone with information, witness to the collision, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.