Five-month-old girl killed as SUV reverses in Sydney mall car park; brother injured and later discharged

A five-month-old girl died and her five-year-old brother was injured when a white Renault SUV appeared to reverse over the infant’s pram in the car park at Minto Mall in Sydney’s southwest on Monday afternoon, police said. The baby died at the scene despite emergency attempts, and the boy was taken to hospital with injuries but has since been released.

The driver, a 35-year-old woman who was known to the children, was identified by police and was seen crying outside a nearby El Jannah restaurant after the crash. Investigators are examining whether the driver unintentionally reversed the vehicle rather than moving forward, potentially crushing the pram against another car in the space. The Daily Mail stated that the baby was in a pram and the boy was beside her, next to the vehicle, as the incident unfolded.

Seven ambulances were dispatched to the scene around 3:30 p.m. Monday, and paramedics performed CPR on the infant before she died at the scene. The tragedy occurred near a busy shopping centre, drawing swift attention from witnesses and local residents. A white Renault that police believed involved the crash was not immediately visible at the scene in the immediate aftermath.

Family and friends gathered in Tahmoor at the home of Daimen and Ella Standring to grieve. The couple, who reside in the area, were described by neighbors as devout churchgoers and part of the Mittagong congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Neighbors recalled a quiet street that would, on a normal day, be filled with cars and people as mourners paid their respects. The Standrings declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail.

Minto resident Maholy Montaro, who was parked nearby, said she heard the collision from only a few parking spaces away and described a moment of distress as the driver began to cry out. Montaro said she did not approach the scene because she had her own children in the car and wanted to shield them, but she later returned with flowers to lay at the scene and to support the family.

Tributes began to appear near the nearby El Jannah, where staff were seen inspecting the floral arrangements left along the storefront’s vicinity. A car seat and a 'baby on board' sticker were visible outside the Standring home, underscoring the personal toll of the loss. The baby’s name has not been publicly released, and police have not disclosed further identifying details.

Authorities continue to review witness statements and gather information as the investigation proceeds. The community has expressed condolences to the family as they cope with an unimaginable tragedy at a busy shopping centre, underscoring the fragility of everyday moments in public spaces.