Tributes for 'beautiful' toddler Charlotte killed outside childcare centre
'Extremely painful': Father's grief after childcare tragedy.
By Rick Goodman
October 15 2019
The toddler who was tragically killed by a reversing car outside a Melbourne daycare centre has been remembered as a "beautiful princess".
Three-year-old Charlotte Smithers was leaving childcare in Epping on Monday afternoon with her mum Amanda Furner when they were both struck by their car.
The 4WD, which had three children inside, suddenly accelerated across the carpark at Kiddy Palace Learning Centre, hitting the mother and fatally injuring her daughter.
Three-year-old Charlotte died after being struck by a reversing car. Credit: GoFundMe
It was a horror accident and it is understood police will not pursue any charges, but will investigate so they can supply a report to the coroner.
A fundraiser has been started by a friend of the family in the hope of raising money to help pay for Charlotte's memorial and to give her father Adam Smithers time off to grieve.
"My very close friend's daughter was tragically run over by the car she was getting into," the GoFundMe campaign's organiser Hannah Skyring wrote.
"It was a tragic accident. I'm raising this money to help both parents give (their) baby girl the send-off she deserves. The beautiful princess she was."
Photos of little Charlotte were shared on the fundraiser. Credit: GoFundMe
The campaign had raised more than $1500 within the first five hours.
Charlotte's father, who rushed to the centre after the accident, said it had been an "extremely painful" time.
"I just want to say thank you to everyone who is giving their condolences in these extremely painful last 24 hours," Mr Smithers told 7NEWS.
Charlotte's mother, who is 26 and believed to be pregnant, was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital after the crash.
Devastated childcare staff laid flowers and a balloon near the carpark on Tuesday, sitting on the ground as they remembered little Charlotte.
Strangers also paid tribute, including 10-year-old girl Amber Hartley, who left one of her teddy bears at the site.
"That teddy was basically a little girl and I thought that would be good because it was a little girl," Amber said.
Originally published as Tributes, fundraiser for toddler Charlotte killed by a car outside childcare centre
