Father of Melbourne girl killed with mum in crash reveals regret at not driving them home

The father of the Melbourne schoolgirl killed alongside her mother after leaving parent-teacher interviews on Wednesday evening said he is filled with regret he wasn’t there to drive the pair home.

Fourteen-year-old Xinyu Yuan and her mother were killed instantly when their Toyota was hit by another car, as the pair left the Lighthouse Christian College at Cranbourne East.

Principal Jacob Matthews told 7 News on Thursday the father of the well-loved year eight student regretted not being there to drive his family home.

The father was reportedly working night-shift at the time, and wasn’t able to join his wife during the meetings with his daughter’s teachers.

“The father was very distressed of course,” Mr Matthews told reporters.

The principal added the father was prevented from visiting the fatal crash scene.

“[It is] understandable that police didn't want him to see the scene himself.”

Xinyu is being remembered as a sweet girl, and the tragic news rocked the close-knit Christian school community, Mr Matthews said

“She was a lovely girl. She was so gentle and so good. She was a very kind young girl and very clever. We will really miss her.”

Teachers and fellow students were in tears as the news broke.

“Everyone was crying… office staff were crying, teachers were crying,” the principal said.

“It's affected [the school community] greatly. Many of our staff our crying because she is one of our daughters.

“She will be sadly missed by all of the students and as well as all of the teachers… It's going to be some time before we recover from this one.”

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The school’s church pastors are offering grief counselling to students and staff.

It is believed the Chinese family were members of the Turningpoint Church, in Cranbourne East, which is supporting the girl’s father and brother through the tragedy.

Reverend Scott Ang told 7 News the distraught father has been inconsolable.

“Their father is very sad, he cry. I don’t know how to comfort him,” said the reverend.

“He loves his family, he loves his work.”

Rev Ang called the family “very good people” and praised Xinyu for her dedication to her studies.

“She was a hard working student, obedient student, very nice sweet girl.”

The driver of the Commodore, aged in his 20s, remains in a serious condition at The Alfred Hospital.

Crash investigators are examining whether speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.