The young boy who died when a car crashed through a fence into his Melbourne schoolyard has been identified as 11-year-old Jack Davey.

It came as the principal of Auburn South Primary School described Tuesday’s incident as a “complete tragedy”.

The school reopened on Wednesday, following the horror incident on Tuesday afternoon where a car ploughed into a group of students sitting on a bench at recess.

Jack suffered critical injuries and died on the way to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.

Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were also seriously injured and taken to hospital.

On Wednesday, school principal Marcus Wicher told media, including the Nine Network, that the incident could “only be described as a complete tragedy”.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with Jack’s family and friends,” he said.

“Our thoughts are also with the four students who remain in hospital and, of course, their beautiful families. We are entirely focused, as a community, on the welfare of our students, staff and broader school community.”

A clearly emotional Wicher also thanked his staff and school parents, describing their “courage and care” as “remarkable”.

“The response from our local community has been overwhelming, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out with such generous offers of support,” he said.

“This school community is so wonderful and strong, and together we will get through this.”

The school released photos of Jack on Wednesday.

Classes were running and support services were on hand at the Hawthorn East school on Wednesday as its community mourned Tuesday’s tragic events.

Jack Davey, 11, who was killed when a car crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School. Photo: AAP

A 40-year-old woman, who had just collected her child from the school, was attempting a U-turn when her white Toyota SUV crashed through a fence into the schoolyard, hitting the children.

Two of the injured children remain in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, one of the others at Monash Medical Centre and the last child was transferred to another Melbourne hospital on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, dozens of families walked hand in hand with children to drop-off, parents congregating in the schoolyard as students made their way to class.

Others carried flowers and biscuits, a floral tribute growing to more than a dozen bunches left just metres from the crash site.

A temporary cover blocked the spot where the white SUV slammed through the school fence, a grassy area next to the oval underneath a gum tree and a sailcloth.

Floral tributes at the school on Wednesday. Photo: AAP

The car’s driver, who is also from Hawthorn East, was arrested and interviewed by police. No charges were laid and she was released overnight pending further inquiries.

Neither she nor her child were injured in the incident.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan encouraged people to use support services on offer if they were finding news of the events troubling to deal with.

She and Education Minister Ben Carroll spoke to Wicher on Tuesday night after he had spoken to Jack’s mother.

“It was a really tough conversation for the principal,” Allan said.

“He relayed to Ben and I just how strong the family is in the toughest of times.”

I’m sending my love and thoughts to the students, their families and the whole school community. And my thanks to the first responders on the scene.

I know tonight Victorians will be thinking of Auburn South Primary, and holding our kids even closer.

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) October 29, 2024

Carroll and education department secretary Jenny Atta visited the school on Wednesday morning.

An extra 25 teachers from neighbouring schools are on site to support their colleagues, along with pastoral and counselling services.

“This will be difficult in the days, weeks, months ahead,” Carroll said.

Police worked into the night to investigate the circumstances of the crash, which Inspector Craig McEvoy said appeared to be a “tragic accident”.

“It’s really tough for everybody involved, from the community, the school community, the locals, the first responders, ambulances and police,” he said.

“These events are always hard where there’s death and serious injury, but especially difficult when there’s children involved.”

The car had a green P-plate, but McEvoy said he was not certain of the woman’s licence status.

-with AAP