The family of a three-year-old girl killed after being struck by a car in the driveway of her Auburn home has paid tribute to her as a “charming and beautiful” child.
Khairun Minha Quadri was hit by the vehicle at the family’s home in Auburn, in western Sydney, shortly after 2pm on Tuesday.
She was taken urgently to Westmead Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her.
Her mother, who had been bringing in washing only metres away when the collision happened, said Khairun simply loved to “play like every other kid”.
“She was very precious to us,” she told Nine.
Asked what she loved most about her daughter, the grieving mother replied: “The way she used to laugh, walk.”
Abdul Salman, a cousin of Khairun’s father, told Newswire that the toddler was a “very charming girl”.
“She was very fond of her mum. She never left her side. She’s the only girl in a family full of boys, so she was always with her mum. She was very beautiful,” he said.
Khairun Minha Quadri is pictured on CCTV shortly before she was hit and killed by a car on Tuesday afternoon.
Khairun’s mother said her daughter was “very precious” and had been playing in the driveway when she was struck.
CCTV captured the little girl sitting on the driveway just moments before she was struck.
The driver, 27-year-old Sandip Adhikari, appeared in Burwood Local Court on Wednesday after being charged with negligent driving occasioning death over the tragedy in Auburn less than 24 hours earlier.
Flanked by several supporters, Adhikari attempted to shield his face from cameras with a sheet of paper as he left court.
‘No questions, thanks. Of course I’m very sorry,’ he told reporters when asked if he wanted to apologise to the girl’s grieving family.
Adhikari will remain on bail until his next court appearance on October 27. He has not yet entered a plea.
His lawyer, Danny Eid, described the incident as a ‘very, very sad case’ while speaking on behalf of his client outside court.
‘He’s very, very stressed and worried about the family, worried about their welfare,’ Mr Eid said.
‘He’s asked me to relay his deep sadness to the whole family who have lost a beautiful young child.’
Sandip Adhikari (above) has been charged with negligent driving occasioning death
Khairun’s mother said she was daughter was playing with a kitchen set when she was hit by the car
As part of his strict bail conditions, Adhikari must report to police every day and is banned from operating a motor vehicle.
It is understood that Adhikari is not related to Khairun but lives in a granny flat at the back of the property.
Police spent much of Tuesday afternoon in the cordoned-off street as they examined the crime scene.
Forensic officers were seen closely examining and photographing a Range Rover parked in the driveway.
The girl’s heartbroken mother told reporters off-camera on Wednesday that her daughter was playing with a kitchen set when tragedy struck.
‘She used to always go to the playgrounds and we would find kids’ play things around here,’ a family friend told Sunrise.
‘She was so lovely, very cute, very pretty little girl. She was just three years old, not saying much of the world.
‘Whenever we came to visit, she was always very happy.’
Neighbours recalled seeing Khairun playing outside the home (above) often
Shocked neighbours often saw the little girl playing outside with her older brother.
‘It’s very sad because I’m a mother, so I hear the girl dying is very sad,’ one told the ABC.
The circumstances leading up to the crash remain under investigation.
Anyone with information or relevant footage is urged to contact Auburn Police or Crime Stoppers.