NSW: Children trapped by car at pre-school

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2003
NSW: Children trapped by car at pre-school

SYDNEY, Dec 15 AAP - At least three children were trapped when a car ploughed through
the front window of their pre-school and burst into flames on Sydney's northern beaches
today.

Seven children and three adults were injured when a driver, believed to be a 68-year-old
man, lost control of his car and crashed into the pre-school on Balgowlah Road, Manly,
about 1.20pm (AEDT).

The car burst into flames.

NSW Fire Brigade station officer Denis Goldsworthy said two firefighters and a passerby
rushed to the pre-school and lifted the car off the children.

"The car had gone through the front window so it caused a fair bit of damage as well
as landing on the kids," he said.

"The fuel tank had ruptured so the fuel was leaking out of the tank.

"I don't want to see anything like that again."

A two-year-old boy was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious burns while
six other children and three adults were taken to other hospitals for treatment.

One adult and three children remained in hospital this afternoon.

It's believed 17 children were inside the pre-school at the time of the incident.

Tearful parents rushed to the school after the accident, comforting each other and
their children.

One mother arrived at the pre-school in tears and was met by her daughter saying, "Mummy,
guess what happened?".

The metropolitan crash unit is investigating the accident and will interview the driver
of the car, police said.

AAP ka/nf/jv/jlw

KEYWORD: PRESCHOOL LEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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