A horrific car crash has taken the life of ten-year-old Sabrina Mangos, whilst she and her family were travelling in the United States.
The accident, which took place on 31st Street and 34th Avenue in Queens, happened after the family’s mini-van collided with a car that ran a red light. Sabrina’s body was crushed under the weight of the family van after it flipped and she fell out.
Sabrina’s mother, Valerie, 36, father Michael, 42, and brothers Sam, 13, and, Nicholas, 11, escaped serious injury and were in a stable condition. Sabrina was pronounced dead soon after arriving at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens.
According to AAP, the family were highly distraught at the scene of the accident when onlookers helped to roll the van back over and uncovered Sabrina’s crushed body.
The family, now back in Australia, have the arduous task of burying their little girl.
The death has had a profound effect on many members of the Greek community and also those at Immanuel College, the primary school where Sabrina attended.
Robert Hoff, principal of Immanuel College Primary School told Neos Kosmos that, “Sabrina was a friendly, thoughtful, vibrant and caring person.”
“She was beautiful angel that will be deeply missed at this Immanuel community. She left many gifts to the school such kindness, tolerance, vitality – she was a shining light.”
The tragic death has shocked classmates, teachers, families and friends of the school. Mr Hoff said that support for the students is a priority, especially for the year 5 and 6’s who are overcome with sadness. The school’s counsellor has been working closely with the students and teachers, seeking further advice from Adelaide’s leading psychologist, Dr Darryl Cross, on how to cope with grief and loss to best support their students
Students in Sabrina’s class have set up a reflection corner. On Friday, the school’s service was dedicated to the life of the young girl “This morning’s service was a lovely time of reflection. What we wanted to do was celebrate the light of life that Sabrina had bought to the school so that’s exactly what happened. It was a celebration of those wonderful attributes that Sabrina had; they were focused on.”
“We thank God for the very precious life of Sabrina, and we are all seeking the strength and wisdom that we will need in the days ahead, but there is no doubt about it, her example as a shining light in the school is what we’ve been able to focus on as something very precious that we hold and we will always remember.”
Adelaide MP Steve Georganas, who knows of the Mangos family, told Neos Kosmos that he will be offering any help or assistance the family may need during this time.
“It must be dreadful for a parent to have this loss,” he said, “I send my deepest condolences to the family.”
