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'A big hole in our lives': Families of boys killed in Greenacre school tragedy speak out

The families of two boys who died in their Sydney classroom after a 4WD ploughed into it have spoken about their loss and grief.

Two boys, eight, were killed after a car ploughed into a classroom in Sydney's southwest
Two boys, eight, were killed after a car ploughed into a classroom in Sydney's southwest Source: AAP

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The families of the boys killed in their Sydney classroom when a four wheel drive ploughed through the wall have spoken of their grief.

Andrew Encinas, nine, was killed alongside his friend Jihad Darwiche, eight, when a Toyota Kluger crashed into their Banksia Road Public School classroom in early November.

Andrew's mother Nicole, who dropped her son at school that day, has told News Corp Australia his death has left the family devastated.

Sometimes I think I can't cope, our family is struggling to come to terms with losing Jihad, it's hard Susanna Darwiche

"His death has left a big hole in our lives, it's still too raw and painful for us to talk about," she said.

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"I don't wish to say how I feel about the driver until we know the full facts of what happened that day.

"We're still trying to make sense of it all. Andrew was a beautiful, joyful, boy who lit up the house.

Jihad's mother Susanne says she cannot sleep, but has no ill will towards the driver, who has been charged over the boys' deaths.

"Sometimes I think I can't cope, our family is struggling to come to terms with losing Jihad, it's hard," Ms Darwiche said.

"But the support we have had from the community has been overwhelming."

Maha Al-Shennag, 52, has been charged over the crash.

A mother and her young children place flowers outside the Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre, Sydney, Wednesday, November, 8, 2017.
A mother and her young children place flowers outside the Banksia Road Public School in Greenacre, Sydney, Wednesday, November, 8, 2017. Source: AAP


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