Pictured: Mum-of-two killed after driver, 89, ploughed into group of friends outside cafe
The woman who was killed on Friday when an out of control car ploughed into a busy Sydney cafe has been identified as mother-of-two, Liz Albornoz.
The 40-year-old was having coffee with friends when an elderly driver allegedly lost control of his car, driving through a garden, off a ledge and directly into Ms Albornoz.
She and a handful of other mums were believed to have been enjoying their daily coffee in North Epping after dropping their children off at school.
“They were just enjoying a meeting together, having coffee, and they were struck by this vehicle,” Detective Inspector Mark Christie told reporters on Friday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters, NSW Ambulance Superintendent Steve Vaughan described the scene as “absolutely frantic” when first responders arrived, saying “there was carnage everywhere”.
Initial reports suggested at least two victims were pinned by the car.
“Crews arrived on scene to find a number of patients spread across the scene,” he said.
Ms Albornoz was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital suffering critical stomach injuries.
Her husband and mother were by her side when she later died.
She was a mother to two young daughters and worked for non-profit organisation, Social Ventures Australia.
"I have always been passionate about helping others and looking for opportunities to volunteer," her business profile states.
"At SVA I am able to bring together my interests and skills and work with people who share the same values. We all care about building a fairer Australia."
Social Ventures Australia told Yahoo News Australia they were “shocked and saddened” by the news.
“Liz was a wonderful and valued colleague who shared our commitment to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in Australia. Our thoughts are with her husband, her daughters and her family and loved ones. We are also thinking about the many others injured and impacted by this tragedy," CEO Suzie Riddell said.
A number of locals have been gathering at the cafe to lay flowers.
Ms Albornoz’s neighbour told Nine News she was “just lovely” and “one of the sweetest people I know”.
Nine other people were injured.
Three other people were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
A witness told Nine News his daughter ran into his home after she witnessed the incident and was inconsolable.
“She ran in hysterical to my home and then she said there had been a terrible accident and one of the girls is really badly injured, she didn’t see it coming because she had her back it, those people who saw it coming over the embankment couldn’t do anything about it,” Max Quinnell said.
The 89-year-old driver of the vehicle was taken to Ryde hospital for mandatory testing.
The Crash Investigation Unit are investigating to try and piece together how the man drove into the busy cafe, police said in a statement.
“It appears he has pulled into the parking spot and then there's been some sort of collision after that but we don't know the circumstances yet, they're still under investigation,” Detective Inspector Mark Christie told reporters this afternoon.
NSW police told Yahoo News Australia they have yet to charge anyone over the incident.
- with AAP
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