Tributes have flown for Aurora Ellis, the 19-month-old girl who died after being hit by a car in the driveway of her Bayswater home.
Police and paramedics were called to the property after the toddler was struck by a reversing four-wheel-drive on Saturday afternoon in what a family friend called a “tragic accident”.
It is understood the mother, who drove the car, had not seen the child in the driveway until it was too late.
Matthew Rann, a long-time friend of the girl’s parents Preston and Lara, told The West Australian the pair had “had sleepless nights, finding it hard to breathe”.
Rann and his wife Michelle created a GoFundMe page for the mourning family, and has so far raised more than $30,000.
“On Saturday 6th June, beautiful 19 month old Aurora grew wings and flew from earth in an tragic accident that has left her little family broken,” a statement on the page read.
“Preston and Lara are the most genuine, giving and caring people around … We are hoping to raise enough money to help them celebrate Aurora’s life and help pay the bills so they can grieve together, for as long as is needed.
“Beautiful Aurora, ‘the goddess of dawn’. May you continue to be light wherever there is darkness, and every sunrise be powerful reminder of your existence for the whole world to see!”
According to KidsAndCars.org, at least 50 children are being backed over by vehicles in the US every week. In more than 70 per cent of these cases, a parent or close relative is behind the wheel.
This article originally appeared on Over60.