Police last week re-enacted the incident in which three young children died when a car being driven by their mother plunged into a Wyndham Vale lake on April 8.
One-year-old Bol, four-year-old Anger and her twin brother Madit died when a Toyota Kluger driven by their mother, Akon Guode, entered Lake Gladman. Five-year-old Awel and Ms Guode were the only survivors.
Major collision unit investigators re-enacted part of the incident using a Toyota Kluger to conduct speed and skid tests around the lake.
The vehicle was driven laps around a small section of Manor Lakes Boulevard before being driven onto the grass near the lake and accelerating before the brakes were hit.
The homicide squad’s Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said they were not looking for skidmarks “in the normal sense”, which he said usually indicated sudden braking, but would instead be looking for tyre marks.
“We’re looking at the track the vehicle took, the speed it was travelling at, and where it entered the lake. That forms obviously a major part of our investigation,” he said.
“The major collision unit [did] several runs. They basically [took] the track of the vehicle on the day and will look at every aspect of that track.”
Detective Inspector Hughes would not say what speed police believed Ms Guode’s car was travelling when it entered the water.
Investigators had wanted to speak to a woman seen pushing a pram around the perimeter of the lake at the time of the incident to reconstruct a timeline of what happened. That woman has since come forward and been interviewed by police.
Police are still appealing for assistance from the South Sudanese community, in particular from those who have knowledge of the family and their movements on the day of the crash.
“There are some very complex relationships here and, obviously, a cultural background we’re working through,” Detective Inspector Hughes said.
“We ask anyone who thinks they can help the investigation to come forward. We have a version of events, and we’re working through those events. Timelines are really critical.”
Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
