UPDATE:
David Lord, principal at Staughton College where Jalal attended, issued this statement on behalf of the school community:
“Last week a tragedy has affected our whole school community, with the passing of Year 8 student Jalal. All of our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
“His teachers remember a respectful and hardworking student. His classmates remember him as a good friend with an infectious smile. He will be very much missed by all.
“We are providing support to, and working with, the family. Counsellors and other support workers are working at the school to help students and staff.”
EARLIER:
Jalal Yassine-Naja was a beautiful 13-year-old “angel” who meant the “absolute world” to his family before his life was cut tragically short last Tuesday.
The teenager kissed his mum, Olivia, goodbye, popped on a helmet and hopped on his skateboard on his way to school. Less than 100 metres from home, he was struck by a four-wheel-drive.
Emergency services performed CPR on Jalal for 50 minutes, but he’d suffered massive head injuries and could not be revived.
Friends and family last week paid tribute to the “young life” that was taken too soon. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help the Brookfield family with costs.
“Jalal was an amazing brother, son and friend to those who needed him,” the page reads. “The eldest of four gorgeous boys, Jalal was their absolute world.
“We are all so saddened and heart-broken at Jalal’s passing. May he rest in eternal peace. Another angel taken too soon.”
The driver of the four-wheel-drive, reportedly a woman who was driving some of her own children to school, was assisting police.
The 34-year-old Brookfield woman was spoken to last week and released pending further inquiries. Investigations are ongoing.
Witnesses told reporters the boy’s stepfather arrived at the scene moments after the accident. Soon after, the boy’s mother arrived.
“As she stood out my front door, I just heard her say, ‘and a wonderful life is over’,” neighbour Patricia Trencher told media.
“This whole street is a very sad street today,” she said.
Police said the boy had been skateboarding on a quiet road and was wearing a helmet.
“He did everything right,” an emotional Acting Sergeant Dale Murley said.
“He had a helmet on, he was going to school … a tragic accident.
“I’ll go home tonight and the first thing I’ll do is I’ll give my boys a cuddle.”
Donations to Jalal’s GoFundMe appeal can be made at gofundme.com/in-memory-of-jalal-yassinenaja.
– with The Age
