‘My heart breaks’: Tributes to girl hit and killed by ute outside Sydney school

Floral tributes to a five-year-old girl have been left outside the gates of her primary school in Sydney’s north-west, where she was hit and killed by a ute while riding her scooter.

The kindergarten student at Rouse Hill Public School was struck by a Toyota Hilux leaving the grounds about 3.45pm on Thursday, and later died at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

On Friday, students and teachers were offered counselling from the Department of Education. Community members arrived at the school to lay flowers by the gate.

“It’s tragic, and we were unfortunately here yesterday afternoon. My heart breaks for the family,” one mother told Nine News.

She said traffic outside the school was “too congested” during the morning and afternoon peak.

“I’ve been here 25 years, and something needs to be done about this street,” the woman said.

“Everybody is rushing, it just ... it’s got to stop.”

Murat Dizdar, secretary of the NSW Department of Education, on Friday said it was an “incredibly difficult time” for the school.

“To lose one of their students is deeply, deeply devastating for the entire school community,” he said.

“I would also like to offer my deepest respect and appreciation to our school staff who quickly responded and did all they could to help the young girl.

“Our focus is now on ensuring our staff, students and school community have all the support and counselling they require to help them through this traumatic incident.”

The driver of the ute – a 42-year-old man picking up his children – was taken to Blacktown Hospital for mandatory testing but was later released.

Both the utility and the scooter have been seized for forensic examination, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.