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The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
World

His sister was mown down in a car crash that killed 4 kids. This was his brave tribute

Remarkable resilience was on show today as thousands gathered to farewell a young girl run down by an alleged drink-driver as she went to get ice cream in Sydney's west.

Veronique Sakr, 11, was killed when a car mounted an Oatlands footpath 10 days ago.

She died at the scene alongside her cousins Sienna Abdallah, 8, Angelina Abdallah, 12, and Antony Abdallah, 13.

Veronique Sakr was wise beyond her years, and did not care for material things, her mother says.

Doves and balloons were released as she was given a guard of honour by hundreds of her fellow Santa Sabina College pupils at her funeral in the school's chapel in Strathfield.

Veronique's brother Michael held back tears as he took off his school blazer at the end of his sister's funeral and picked up a drum to join his bandmates during the procession.

With a look of determination on his face, he led his sister's hearse through a mass of mourners and onto the street outside.

The Sakr family said the siblings had a "beautiful and unrivalled" bond.

The family said that when Michael was told about the tragedy, he asked, "Dad, how do I do it?"

His dad answered: "Do what?"

Michael said, "Live my life without her?"

During the ceremony he let out a brief laugh when the priest said Veronique had always been a "bossy and stubborn" sister.

The parents of the children killed in the crash supported each other at the funeral: Leila Geagea, Bridget Sakr, Bob Sakr and Danny Abdallah. Photo / news.com.au

Veronique's mum Bridget and the mum of the Abdallah siblings Leila together carried a large portrait of the 11-year-old as her coffin was carried into the hearse after the ceremony.

They then walked arm-in-arm with their husbands, Bob and Danny respectively, as they walked through a massive guard of honour.

Sakr told mourners her "heart is in agony", but she is comforted knowing her Veronique is now in heaven with "the angels and saints".

"Our Veronique is with you right now, with our father and all our angels and saints," she said.

She said Veronique did not care for material things — saying her daughter was wise beyond her years, adding she was "caring, funny, witty and quick".

"She never had a toy or a doll growing up and now that makes sense to me," she said.

"She belonged to the spiritual world and earthly possessions meant nothing to her. Her passion was in people."

When Michael was told about the death of his sister Veronique, he asked his Dad:"How do I live my life without her?"

She said that on the day Veronique died the 11-year-old said, "Mummy, you know I love talking to older people and younger people."

"At such a young age she carried such wisdom. She could read between the lines on anything," Sakr said today.

"She would look at you with those amazing eyes. They would change colour between blue, grey and green depending on what she wore and the weather."

The priest giving the homily at the funeral, Monsignor Shora Maree, said Veronique's mother Bridget told him she had forgiveness in her heart.

"Bridget said we have forgiven," he said.

"(Alleged) bad decisions, abuse of a substance, misuse of technology and speeding, that's what has caused this loss. God did not cause this."

There was a sea of blue in and around the church. The family asked attendees to wear blue as it was Veronique's favourite colour.

Hundreds gathered outside the church to mourn. Photo / news.com.au

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was among those shuffling in before the white hearse arrived.

Family members held up pictures of Veronique and gold crosses as she was carried into the church.

Today her family has released a statement saying their beloved daughter had an "incredible sense of compassion and empathy for others".

"She always opened her kind heart to everyone who was in need of a friend," they said. "She was a bright spark with an infectious smile and a cheeky grin who could hold her own in any company.

"Her greatest joy was being in the presence of family and friends, enjoying conversations with everyone from all ages and walks of life."

The family said Veronique "embraced all that life had to offer".

"She loved to dance, kick a ball, rock-climb and endlessly swim in the pool or beach," they said. "She was a lover of dogs and her caring and motherly nature meant her six goldfish were adored like her own children."

Veronique Sakr was an affectionate girl and not shy to show it.

It comes a just a day after a massive joint funeral for the other three victims.

About 2000 people filled Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on Monday morning to farewell the three Abdallah siblings.

Monsignor Shora Maree praised the children's mother Leila Geagea for her forgiveness in the face of the tragedy.

When Geagea visited the site where three of her six children died, she said she forgave the alleged drink-driver.

"Danny and Leila, we have seen in you the most inspirational example and testimony that is true of the power of God's love," he said.

"Leila, you said the words of forgiveness that shocked the world, it shocked the world.

"That doesn't come from something human, it comes from the divine. What an inspiration for all of us. We've seen the renewal of faith for many."

Leila then joined the stage and led a prayer, saying her three children were now in heaven.

Samuel William Davidson, 29, was allegedly three times the legal blood alcohol limit when he is said to have driven into the children.

He's been charged with 20 offences, including four counts of manslaughter, and is due to next appear in court in April.

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