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Five-year-old killed by truck had only just started catching bus by herself

The family of the five-year-old girl hit and killed by a truck on the NSW Central Coast said she had just started catching the bus.

Little Mariasusanna Vaafusuaga, known as Sana, was reportedly so excited about her first day back at school, she couldn't wait to tell her mum, running across the road without looking.

Her family now say 'she's in a better place' after she was hit by a truck and killed on Tuesday.

The family have spoken out on the sudden tragedy, with Sana's mother uploading photos in her daughter's memory to her Facebook page, one with the caption 'love you so much'..

Sana was killed when she was struck by a truck. Photo: Facebook / Salafai Loimata
Sana was killed when she was struck by a truck. Photo: Facebook / Salafai Loimata

Sana and big sister Philomena were crossing Wolseley Avenue, Rocky Point on the NSW Central Coast when Sana was hit by the large flat-bed truck and died on the scene.

It's understood she ran around the front of the bus, obscuring her from a truck driver following behind at 3.40pm.

Witnesses raced to help as paramedics were called but the girl’s injuries were too severe and she died at the scene.

The driver was taken for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Her stunned mother Salafai Loimata was waiting across the road to collect her girls as she would every afternoon.

“We have faith in Jesus Christ so we believe she is in a better place,” her uncle Alan Jones said.

“She loved school ... She was only saying the other day she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up."

He said he felt for both drivers of the school bus and the truck, but feared deeply for Philomena and the other children who witnessed the accident.

It's believed the young girl had just jumped off a bus when she raced across the Central Coast road. Source: 7 News
It's believed the young girl had just jumped off a bus when she raced across the Central Coast road. Source: 7 News

“It was right in front of her unfortunately,” he said.

“How do you get an image out of your head.

“(The truck driver) has to live with that for the rest of his life.”

Sana loved attending Tacoma Public School. It was her first day back after the Easter holidays.

Mr Jones, who is married to Sana’s mum’s sister, said they were a big extended Samoan family who had lived on the Coast for about six years.

Witnesses attempted to help, but Sana was unable to be revived. Photo: 7 News
Witnesses attempted to help, but Sana was unable to be revived. Photo: 7 News

“She was a typical five-year-old,” Mr Jones said.

“She loved her dolls and her toys.”

Locals have paid their respects by laying flowers and stuffed toys at the scene.

Police say the investigation into the incident is continuing and did not specify if any charges are expected to be laid.