A 4-year-old boy died after a blue hatchback crashed through the window of a liquor store at Southlands Shopping Centre in Mawson on Jan. 18 at about 10:20 a.m. First responders treated the child at the scene and he was taken to Canberra Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead. The vehicle's driver is assisting police, and the ACT Road Policing Major Collision Team is investigating; a report will be prepared for the coroner.
4-Year-Old Boy Killed After Car Crashes Into Liquor Store At Southlands Shopping Centre
7NEWS Australia/YouTubeCar crashed into Canberra shopping center
A 4-year-old boy has died after being struck by a car that drove into a liquor store at Southlands Shopping Centre in Mawson, Australian Capital Territory, on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Police and emergency services responded at about 10:20 a.m., when a blue hatchback reportedly mounted the kerb and smashed through the store's front window. Photographs from the scene showed shopping bags visible in the vehicle's open boot.
ACT Policing/FacebookACT Policing
ACT Fire and Rescue and ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) attended and treated the child at the scene. Paramedics transported him to Canberra Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. ACT Policing confirmed the boy's death is the Australian Capital Territory's second road fatality of 2026.
Inspector Nigel Booth said: “ACT Fire and Rescue and ACTAS arrived at the scene and immediately treated the young person. The young person was transported to Canberra Hospital, where medical treatment was commenced. Unfortunately, that young 4-year-old boy has passed away.” Booth added that the vehicle's driver is at the hospital assisting police with inquiries.
Local witnesses described a heavy emergency response. William Polinelli told The Canberra Times: “We saw the car in there and we instantly thought it was a robbery.” His friend Jack Berg said he saw multiple police cars and an ambulance with lights on heading towards the hospital.
ACT Road Policing's Major Collision Team is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Police said a full report will be prepared for the local coroner's office.
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