Youngest Bourke Street victim laid to rest as Turnbull speaks with Abe over student death

Malcolm Turnbull has offered condolences to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe following the death of a Japanese student in Melbourne's CBD rampage.

Bourke

Two-year-old toddler Zara was injured in the car attack and three-month-old Zachary died of injuries sustained. Source: Supplied

The youngest victim of the Bourke Street tragedy, three month old Zachary Bryant, has been laid to rest

The baby boy was thrown from his pram when the car drove through Melbourne’s CBD and into pedestrians.

Zachary's two-year-old sister, Zara, was injured, and remains in hospital.

Their devastated family has spoken of a "perfect little baby".

“He was the light of our lives, constantly filling our days with smiles and laughs.”

“He leaves us with the best three months and 14 days of wonderful memories spent in this world.”

Twenty-two-year-old Sydney-sider Jess Moudie, 33-year-old Melbournian Matthew Si, a 25-year-old Japanese national and 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, were also killed. Fifteen others remain in hospital.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has offered condolences to his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe for the death of the Japanese student.

“The Prime Minister of Japan was grateful for that expression of sympathy and conveyed to me his nation’s condolences and deepest sympathy for the loss of life,” Mr Turnbull told reporters.

Thousands joined an evening vigil held at Melbourne’s Federation Square on Monday, uniting in shared grief.

Among those who spoke to the crowd was Henry Dow, one of the first responders following Friday’s deadly rampage.

“This moment already feels surreal. Without the sounds of violence, the rush of adrenaline, or the smell of fear,” he told those gathered.
Mr Dow said the skills learnt through surf life-saving training helped him in a time of desperate need. Together with a heroic taxi driver, known as 'Lou', the pair assisted those struck down.

“Helping this person, my hands were shaking, as the fear and thoughts of what had happened, what could happen, raced through my head.”

“Administering first aid with me, under a skinny little tree, was a man named Lou. He was everything great and courageous you have seen, heard, or read - rolled into one authentically humble bloke.”

Heartbreaking stories continue to emerge.

New mother, Nethra Krishnamurthy, had just returned to work from maternity leave.

She was with her husband after dropping off their 8-month-old son at daycare, when she was struck.

Ms Krishnamurthy is in a stable condition in intensive care after emergency surgery on multiple injuries.

In a Facebook update, her husband Mohan Kumar said, "It was very hard knowing that there was one more person entirely dependent on her and I had no idea what to do at the time."
"I would have done everything I could and leave everything I have to prevent this from happening to her."

The young family has no relatives in Australia.

Almost $700,000 has been donated to a fund for the victims and their families.

The alleged offender, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, whose lawyer said on Monday he was too unwell to appear in court, has been charged with five counts of murder.

It's likely the 26-year-old will face further charges.

Police allege he deliberately targeted pedestrians last Friday.

They asked the magistrate for extended time to bring together a large amount of evidence, including 300 interviews with witnesses. It was denied.

A special mention will be heard in August, when Gargasoulas is likely to appear via video-link.



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By Sarah Abo


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Youngest Bourke Street victim laid to rest as Turnbull speaks with Abe over student death | SBS News