United in grief: Tear-jerking scenes as family of Oatlands crash victims are comforted by hundreds of mourners at the scene where four children lost their lives - allegedly at the hands of a drunk driver
- Hundreds of mourners gathered at Bettington Road, in Oatlands, north-west of Sydney on Monday for a vigil
- A memorial service was held where four young children were killed by an alleged drunk driver
- Siblings Antony Abdallah, 13, Angelina Abdallah, 12, Sienna Abdallah, nine, were killed on Saturday
- Their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr, the daughter of their father's cousin, also died in the crash
Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Sydney's north-west for an emotional vigil honouring the lives of the four young children who were tragically mowed down by an alleged drunk driver on Saturday.
Heartbroken friends and relatives crowded around a sea of flowers, candles and teddy bears on Bettington Road, in Oatlands - where siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, nine, and their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr, were struck and killed.
Leila Abdallah, the mother of the three siblings, appeared overcome with emotion as she knelt down and prayed at the scene of the horror incident on Monday evening.
Mourners were seen comforting each other while laying down rosary beads, messages of condolences and framed photographs of the four kids at makeshift memorial along the footpath.
Tragic: Hundreds of mourners gathered at Bettington Road, in Oatlands, north-west of Sydney for an emotional vigil honouring the lives of the four young children killed by an alleged drunk driver on Saturday
Heartbreaking: Leila Abdallah, the mother of the three siblings, appeared overcome with emotion as she knelt down and prayed at the scene of the horror incident on Monday evening
One unidentified relative was seen kissing a framed photo of one of the victims left at the makeshift memorial
Mourners were seen laying rosary beads, flowers, and picture frames at Monday night's vigil
Pictured: Antony Abdallah (far left) 13, killed in the horror crash as he and his siblings went to get ice cream on Saturday evening in Sydney's western suburbs. His younger sisters Angelina, 12, (centre) and Sienna (far right) nine, were also killed
A schoolgirl who was killed alongside her three cousins was identified as 11-year-old Veronique Sakr. Veronique's family said in the statement released on Sunday they were 'devastated' by the loss of 'our beautiful girl' in the horrific crash
The emotional service was led by a priest who guided the crowd through a recital of the Lord's Prayer and the stations of the cross.
The victims' families are believed to be members of the local Maronite Christian community in Oatlands, where they are well known.
Among the mourners were Lakemba MP Jihad Dib, and actor Rob Shehadie.
Large crowds gathered at the crash site after the Abdallah family invited those affected by the tragedy to attend the vigil earlier on Monday.
'May the power of prayer and our faith in god show some light and comfort to all those affected by this horrific tragedy,' the message said.
Earlier, the distraught mother publicly forgave the man who allegedly struck them, saying she couldn't find it in her heart to hold on to anger.
Large crowds gathered at the crash site after the Abdallah family invited those affected by the tragedy to attend the vigil earlier on Monday
Two relatives comfort each other as they mourn the loss of the four young children taken too soon on Saturday night
Distraught family members huddled together during the emotional service on Monday
The emotional service was led by a priest who led the crowd in reciting the Lord's Prayer and the stations of the cross
Dozens of balloons and flowers now line the footpath where the four kids were tragically killed
Members of the Abdallah family comforted each other as they paid tribute to the children
Mr Abdallah and his wife Leila had had six children. Three of his kids, and the daughter of his cousin, were killed on Saturday
Supported by friends, Mrs Abdallah returned to the scene of the crash on Monday where she prayed a rosary before reading the condolence letters on hundreds of bouquets of flowers left at the scene.
'The guy (driver)...Right now I can't hate him. I don't want to see him, but I don't hate him,' she said.
'I think in my heart to forgive him, but I want the court to be fair... I'm not going to hate him, because that's not who we are.'
In the same spot where a day earlier her husband Danny told stories about his three children so tragically taken from him and said they are now 'in a better place', Mrs Abdallah said she could feel them hugging her.
'Danny and myself were blessed to have six kids. We loved our kids so much… I can feel them hugging me right now, ' she said.
Seven children, all from the same extended family, were allegedly hit by a blue 4WD driven by a drunk driver three times over the legal limit (pictured)
The alleged driver Samuel William Davidson (pictured being taken away in handcuffs and shirtless) was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. He did not appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday and has been refused bail until his next court appearance in April
Samuel William Davidson (pictured) was allegedly three times over the legal blood alcohol limit when his Mistubishi Triton allegedly mounted the kerb and slammed into a group of seven children riding bikes on a footpath in Oatlands
'We tried to teach them to pray the rosary, to read their Bible, to believe their faith, to be good people in life and to show God's face through them.
'I asked God to bring us all together as a community to pray together, but I didn't ask him to take my kids.
'To be honest with you, I am sad, I am heartbroken, but I am at peace because I know my kids are in a better place. My kids are angels and I know right now they are with us.
'(But) I am still waiting for them to come home. My daughter was in surgery today and the first thing when I opened my eyes this morning I was waiting for Antony, Angelina and Sienna to run in and see her… it feels very unreal.'
The alleged driver, Samuel William Davidson is facing up to 25 years in prison if he is convicted of 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter, high-range drink driving and running a red light, after Saturday's horrendous crash.
He was allegedly three times over the legal blood-alcohol limit when his Mistubishi Triton mounted the kerb on Bettington Road - one of the main thoroughfares through Oatlands - and slammed into a group of seven children.
Police claim Davidson had been drinking with friends at home before he got behind the wheel of his ute. He drove to a Caltex service station about 1.8km away from his Oatlands home to get cash. While on his way home, he allegedly ran a red light before crashing into a group of seven children
The street is now lined with flowers, balloons and condolence messages to the victims and their families
The victims' families are believed to be members of the local Maronite Christian community
A photo of the victims hangs from a fence at the scene where seven children were hit by a four-wheel drive (4WD) in the suburb of Oatlands in Sydney
The mother's brave outing came as it was revealed the accused of killing her children has been placed in isolation in jail so other prisoners cannot harm him.
Davidson is being kept alone in Silverwater Prison's processing facility in western Sydney. When he is moved to a long-term jail before his next court appearance on April 2, he will be placed in protective custody.
Father Danny Abdallah pleaded with drivers to be more careful as he came to grips with the loss of three of his six children with Leila.
'I don't know what to say. I'm numb, probably that's what I feel at the moment. All I want to say is please, drivers, be careful,' he said.
The fatal crash has sparked a renewed push for a road rules overhaul in NSW.
Sydney University professor David Levinson says the NSW government should look at lower residential speed limits and tougher drink-driving penalties.
'We need a more serious response to driving under the influence. It's not taken seriously enough in our society,' Prof Levinson told AAP on Monday.
'Speed limits are also relatively high. If you hit someone at a high speed you do more damage and are more likely to kill them.'
The four children were going for ice cream at the time of the crash.
An 11-year-old boy has been put into an induced coma and remains in a stable condition at The Children's Hospital in Westmead.
Two girls, aged 10 and 13, were treated by paramedics at the scene and are in a stable condition.
Davidson was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test result and allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.15.
He was charged with 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter, dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, negligent driving and drink-driving.
