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Widow mother begs forgiveness after primary school carnage

The mother accused of killing two eight-year-old boys has pleaded for their families' forgiveness.

The mother accused of killing two eight-year-old boys has pleaded for their families' forgiveness. Photo: AAP

A Sydney mother has begged for forgiveness after her car killed and injured children at a local primary school in Sydney’s south-west.

Maha Al-Shennag, 52, was driving her Toyota Kluger when it crashed into a weatherboard classroom inside the school grounds of Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre at around 9.45am on Tuesday.

She is “deeply sorry for the loss and hurt suffered by the children, the school, the families and the community,” her lawyer Nick Hanna told The Daily Telegraph.

“Her thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”

Two eight-year-old boys were killed and more than 20 people were injured, including three girls seriously wounded.

Ms Al-Shennag was charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, driving in a dangerous manner and negligent driving.

She was additionally charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm by misconduct on Thursday.

The driver was “distracted by something in the car” before losing control, police alleged.

Investigators believe she may have dropped a water bottle and accidentally put her foot onto the accelerator, before slamming into the classroom.

Ms Al-Shennag was granted conditional bail on Wednesday and will appear at Bankstown Local Court on November 29.

car crash sydney

The SUV drove through the weatherboard classroom, inuring 20 people. Photo: AAP

Of the 24 Year 3 pupils inside at the classroom, 18 were assessed for injuries at the scene and five were taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital, where the two boys were later pronounced dead.

The school community gathered at the site overnight to hold a vigil for the children, with more than 100 mourners taking part in a minute’s silence.

A growing pile bouquets, balloons and messages of condolences had been placed outside the school when it reopened on Wednesday morning.

“A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul has ascended to heaven,” one message said.

Senior staff and counsellors have greeted parents and students at the front gates on Wednesday. 

“Some children are going to want to talk this through. Other children are going to want to be very quiet and we have a specialist team that has expertise in working with children who have been in traumatic circumstances,” NSW Education Secretary Mark Scott said in a press conference.

“We all understand how traumatic and sad it was for them and their grief.”

Car involved in the incident is towed away

The car that tore through the classroom is towed from the scene this afternoon. Photo: ABC

NSW Minister for Education Rob Stokes said 88 of the 570 students enrolled were in attendance on Wednesday, while only one teacher was absent from duty.

“I think that statistic powerfully indicates the passion and the commitment that these teachers have to the students and parents it is their job to serve at Banksia Road School,” Mr Stokes said.

“I can see no greater example of the love and compassion and commitment those students have from their teachers that, despite the loss and grief they are going through today, they have turned up to serve.”

Remas, accompanied by her aunty Eman Fayed, described the moment when her principal confirmed the deaths.

“When I first realised it, I was shaking,” Remas said as she broke down.

“And it’s really hard.”

Ms Fayed was one of the first relatives at the school after the crash and says the hardest part was waiting for news about the injured children.

Banksia Road Primary School

A mother consoles her son outside the Banksia Road Primary School. Photo: AAP

During that time, she overheard a paramedic say one of the children had “flat-lined”.

“You think this is the safest place to send them,” she said.

“What can you do? You have to pray.”

Prayer also formed part of the answer for Steve Sleiman’s young family as they tried to explain the tragedy to their kids.

His eldest son asked his wife why God would do such a thing.

“We just lift their spirits up,” he told reporters at the school gate.

“I’m shocked. To think a child dies at school – everyone knows what I’m talking about.”

The principal and chaplain of the nearby Islamic school met with the state school’s staff on Wednesday morning.

“We have to try our best to support each other,” Malek Fahd Islamic School chaplain Fawaz Kamaz said.

“The thing about Australia is that we all come together no matter of religion or background in time of tragedy.”

Mr Hanna did not return The New Daily’s calls at time of publication.

-with wires

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