Golden Plains Shire’s mayor has spoken out regarding calls from the community for improved road safety following the death of a young boy last month.
Caleb Levi Wesley, 6, died after he was hit by a car just after 8am on March 27 while crossing Bannockburn-Shelford Road with his older siblings, aged 9 and 12, to catch a bus to school.
CPR was performed, but Caleb died at the scene. He was farewelled on Saturday, April 5, at his Bell Post Hill school, Covenant College, which was attended by hundreds of mourners.
Golden Plains Shire mayor Sarah Hayden said she understood the “community’s distress following the recent road fatality in Teesdale” but that council would not comment further while investigations continued.
“(We acknowledge) the desire from some community members for an immediate response from council regarding road safety matters,” she said.
“Council will not be drawn into public commentary or inappropriate private correspondence while investigations into the incident are underway.
“However, we assure the community that we are actively working respectfully and diligently behind the scenes and will continue to engage with relevant agencies in the appropriate way.
“Once again, we express our deepest condolences to the family and commend the local community on its continued support for the family and each other.”
An 84-year-old woman was allegedly driving the car that hit Caleb and fled the scene after stopping briefly following the incident but was later located and arrested at an address in Teesdale.
Victoria Police later released the elderly woman following the incident pending further inquiries.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Caleb’s family, raising over $27,000 as of 1pm on Tuesday, April 8. Visit gofundme.com/f/loving-memory-of-caleb-wesley-a-tragic-loss to donate.
