Three of their children were killed in a tragedy that shocked Australia. But, in their own words, DANNY and LEILA ABDALLAH explain how their family WILL get through their pain - and how they found the strength to forgive
- Danny and Leila Abdallah lost three children in last weekend's Oatlands tragedy
- Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, nine, died instantly while walking to shops
- Their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, was also killed in the tragedy on Saturday night
- Danny and Leila penned a letter telling how 'our world came crumbling down'
- Alleged drunk driver Samuel William Davidson is facing 20 charges over crash
The grieving parents of three children killed in the Oatlands tragedy say their faith in God and the support of Australians has helped them to 'carry a very heavy cross'.
Danny and Leila Abdallah's world 'came crashing down' last Saturday when alleged drunk driver Samuel William Davidson lost control of his 4WD and ploughed into a group of seven kids, as they walked to get ice cream.
The Abdallahs' son Antony, 13, daughters Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 9, and cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were all killed instantly, while another cousin, Charbel Kassas, 10, continues to fight for life in hospital.
Now, the couple who captured the heart of Australia by bravely pledging to forgive the man charged with killing their kids, have explained in their own words just how difficult the past week has been.
On Saturday the 1st of February 2020 at approximately 7.50pm, our entire world came crumbling down with the senseless loss of three of our six children, Antony, Angelina and Sienna.
A fourth child was also killed - our cousin Bridget Sakr's daughter, Veronique.
To begin to encapsulate or express the heart wrenching pain and sorrow we are experiencing in this time would require endless words of despair. This is an unimaginable tragedy; unfathomable beyond all description.
Danny and Leila Abdallah (back) have told how their world 'came crumbling down' when their son Antony (far left), 13, Angelina (far right), 12, and Sienna Abdallah (front left), 9, were killed in the Oatlands tragedy on Saturday night
Mr and Mrs Abdallah have visited the scene of the crash on Bettington Road, Oatlands, every day this week and say their 'faith in Jesus Christ' has been crucial to them forgiving alleged drunk driver Samuel William Davidson, 29, who is charged with manslaughter over the crash
Our children are our reason for living. Bringing them up in accordance with the ways of God, teaching them to love, affording them every opportunity and nurturing them into positive and impacting young men and women was, and is our life's purpose.
What is life without your children. How and where do we begin to pick up the pieces so that we may be effective parents to our three remaining angels?
We start with forgiveness.
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We forgive the driver that killed our innocent children. His actions will be met before the earthly and heavenly judge. We have decided, in our hearts to forgive him – for our sake, for the sake of our children and more so for Christ's sake.
Our faith in Jesus Christ remains the foundation of our family and we believe it will continue to help us through this difficult time.
Each day that passes is a day closer to the day we are reunited with our angels. We will look toward this moment; not backwards at yesterday's pain.
Veronique Sakr (right, with her mother Bridget and brother Michael) an 11-year-old cousin of the Abdallah children, was also killed in the tragedy. She will be farewelled on Tuesday
Micheal Sakr, 9, holds his mother Bridget's hand for support as they visit the scene earlier this week
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
As we've tried to make sense of the past week, the world too has been shaken by this mortifying event. It is our hope that through this, all will know that no matter the pain or despair, God will be a safeguard through this dark valley.
He is in control, and eternity sits in the palm of His divine hand. Our life here on earth is but a vapour in comparison to His eternal plans, and the purpose God holds for His children.
We would like to thank our family, our friends, our community, and so many others from across Australia and the world, for the overwhelming support we have received.
Thousands of bouquets of flowers have been left at the makeshift shrine on Bettington Road in Oatlands where the tragedy happened
'We are humbled and strengthened by the outpouring of love from each and every one of you,' Mr and Mrs Abdallah said
We are humbled and strengthened by the outpouring of love from each and every one of you.
Please continue to join us in prayer during this time, this is a very heavy cross that we've been chosen to carry, but it is through God's love that we keep going.
May the Peace of God through Jesus Christ be with us all,
Daniel and Leila Abdallah.
'Drunk driver's' 13-HOUR poolside drinking session before horror crash that killed four - and has left one boy fighting for life in hospital
Police will allege Samuel William Davidson, 29, began drinking at 7am on the day of the Oatlands tragedy
The accused drunk driver who killed four children at Oatlands on Saturday night had allegedly been on an drinking binge since 7am that day.
Samuel William Davidson, 29, opened his first beer 13 hours before he lost control of his vehicle on Bettington Road in Sydney's north west, police sources revealed.
Davidson is facing 20 charges, including four counts of manslaughter, following the deaths of Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9, and their cousin Veornique Sakr, 11.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal police will allege Davidson spent the day drinking by the pool in 40C heat at the rental property he shared with two mates, before he got behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi ute.
Daniel Abdallah with his six kids. Sienna (front left), Antony (back left) and Angelina (right) all died on Saturday night
By late afternoon he allegedly had a blood alcohol reading of 0.150, three times the legal limit.
Police allege Davidson and a mate drove to a nearby Caltex petrol station to get cash from an ATM.
Security footage from a house along a road between Davidson's home and the petrol station allegedly show his vehicle going past at high speed.
As he returned from the petrol station, Davidson allegedly veered off the road and ploughed into the group of seven children, killing four instantly.
Charbel Kassas, 11, remains in Westmead Children's Hospital in a coma.
His parents Assaad and Rania told Daily Mail Australia they are 'praying' that he will survive, but it is still touch-and-go.
The two children (pictured at front, with their parents and siblings) were rushed to hospital. Mr Kassas said he was 'praying to God' for his son Charbel who is still fighting for life in a coma
A shrine at the scene of the crash has continued to grow since Sunday morning, with hundreds of bouquets of flowers now lining the fence near where the four children were killed
'Mabelle is OK, she's been released from hospital,' he said.
'(But) Charbel is still in a coma. We've prayed to God to help us and we hope he will help us.'
An aunt of the boy told Daily Mail Australia that Charbel has horrific injuries to his body as well as significant brain injuries.
Davidson's parents Allan, a former policeman, and Kay said they had been left shattered by the tragedy,
'We're absolutely devastated for the lives of those children,' Mr Davidson told 9News.
Allan and Kay Davidson (pictured) broke their silence on Monday, just days after their son Samuel William Davidson was charged with mowing down four young children in an alleged drunk-driving incident in Oatlands, Sydney's north-west
'We're no stranger to grief, we lost a daughter ten years ago, and now effectively, we've lost a son.
'Those poor families have lost their children. No words can help them, and I'm so sorry to them.'
Davidson is facing 20 charges including four counts of manslaughter and high-range drink driving.
He will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in April.
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