UPDATE: A one-year-old boy is in a critical condition after he was hit by a car in Truganina on Tuesday morning.
It is understood the boy broke free from his mother and ran onto the road at West Meadows Lane, in the outer-western suburb of Truganina, near Laverton, about 7.50am.
The boy’s 31-year-old mother chased after him, but did not reach him in time to save him from the oncoming car, police said.
She also suffered minor injuries in the collision.
The young boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital, while his mother was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The boy’s father, Venky Sarabudla, said doctors had told him his son urgently needed surgery. “Hopefully he might be ok … I wish, I pray to God he might be ok,” he said.
The hospital confirmed on Tuesday night that the child remained in intensive care in a critical condition.
Witness Sarah Dang said the mother had chased the boy as he ran out into traffic.
“Next thing you know [the] car hits him and they both go flying,” she told Channel Ten.
“He was basically like a ragdoll on the floor. He was just lifeless really, but he was still breathing so the first thing I did was call the ambulance.”
Ms Dang said the boy’s mother was initially knocked unconscious after she was clipped by the car. “She got up slowly, was finally aware of her surroundings and was just crying out for her son, for someone to help,” she said.
The 27-year-old female driver of the car was uninjured.
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Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
