Toddler dies in police pursuit in Sydney
A 17-month-old girl has died after being struck during a police pursuit in Sydney's west as she played in a back yard.
Police say the toddler was struck in Bessbrook Way at Constitution Hill about 7pm on Thursday.
The girl sustained critical injuries and was treated at the scene before being taken to The Children's Hospital, Westmead but later died.
A 17-month-old was playing in her family's backyard when she was fatally struck by an out-of-control vehicle. Photo: 7News
“I am overwhelmed for the poor family and what they are going through,” said Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli, who added that the police officers involved were devastated by the 'absolute tragedy'.
“My condolences goes out to the family and friends of that child it is a pain that no parents should go through."
“I have actually spoken to police involved in this situation and they are distraught. These are family members, they have got children the same age.”
The stolen car ploughed through the back fence of a home in Bessbrook Way at Constitution Hill in Sydney's west, during a police pursuit. Photo: ABC
News Corp Australia reported that an unmarked police car was leading four marked cars in the pursuit of an allegedly stolen BMW when it crashed through a garden fence into a suburban back yard where children were playing.
Video of the scene showed a broken green steel fence and scattered toys in the yard.
Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli described the death as an “absolute tragedy”. Photo: 7News
Local resident Carol Davis described the moment she heard what sounded like "steel ripping" as she watched over a number of children playing cricket.
“Then we see this car flying out of the yard and a four-wheel-drive was chasing it down the hill,” said the 45-year-old.
“They've thrown their bats to the ground and everyone just ran for their lives.
“I ran up to the house and I see the mother holding her newborn baby, she was screaming.
“I could hear the kids in the house just going ballistic, they were petrified.”
The Crash Investigation Unit is now combing through the backyard to evaluate the incident. Photo: 7News
News Corp has reported the child killed in the tragedy was a twin, according to neighbour Raymond Nair.
"I was out for a jog and I heard the sirens," he said.
“Then all these cars sped past me and straight through my neighbour’s yard.
“The children were crying out for their mum. They said their sister had been hit by the car.
“She was a twin.”
A police critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the pursuit, alongside the Crash Investigation Unit.
The investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.
A 23-year-old woman has been taken to Kings Cross Police Station and was assisting with inquiries.
Assistant Commissioner Mennilli says police are reaching out to the community to help identify the driver, who remains on the run.
"This person is well known to them, they know who this person is and it is best for them to come forward,” he said.
“I must stress we had specialist resources on the ground for this particular job because of the risk to the community. We were dealing with violent offenders so we had to try to prevent these people from committing offences unfortunately it is a tragedy that has occurred."
Morning news break –January 9
