Two Children Killed in 4WD Rollover – Parwan, VIC – 8 September 2026

What happened

Incident Overview

Two children died after an eight-seat four-wheel-drive carrying a woman and seven children rolled at Parwan, west of Melbourne, on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

Location and Time

• Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
• Time: Shortly before 4pm, according to Victoria Police
• Location: Near the intersection of Nerowie Road and Parwan-Exford Road, Parwan

Vehicle and Occupants

The single-vehicle crash involved an eight-seat four-wheel-drive occupied by a 34-year-old woman and seven children. Reports said the vehicle left the road, rolled and came to rest on grass beside the roadway.

Later reporting identified the driver as the mother of one of the children who died and the aunt of the other child.

Injuries and Fatalities

The children who died were later identified as 11-year-old Ossama El Hawli and seven-year-old Sarah El Hawli. Sarah died at the scene despite efforts to revive her. Ossama was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition and died overnight.

Five other children were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The driver was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for observation.

Emergency Response

Ambulance Victoria said two specialist air ambulance helicopter crews, two Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance crews and seven Advanced Life Support crews assessed eight people at the scene.

Several children were treated at the Royal Children’s Hospital, while three children were reported to be in a stable condition at Sunshine Hospital.

Later Reported Account

7NEWS reported that the driver later told relatives she had swerved to avoid rocks on the road before the rollover. This was a family account and was not presented as a concluded police finding about the cause of the crash.

The outlet also reported that police saw no apparent indication at that stage that speed, drugs or alcohol had contributed. The investigation remains ongoing.

Police Investigation

Victoria Police’s Major Collision Investigation Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the rollover. No final determination about the cause of the crash or legal responsibility has been reported.

Appeal for Information

Anyone who witnessed the crash, has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage, or has other information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.

Read the Victoria Police statement