GP caught up in Niddrie fatal crash vows to rebuild as floral tributes grow

2 months ago 5

A doctor whose patient was seriously injured when an out-of-control car ploughed into his surgery on Monday says he has been overwhelmed with community support and has vowed to rebuild the centre.

Dr Rafid Hamdan was practising at the Essendon Health Medical Centre in Niddrie on Monday morning when a silver Alfa Romeo crashed into the building, smashing its front windows.

Geraldine Maguire, right, lays a floral tribute at the Niddrie practice where a fatal car crash occurred on Monday, December 8.

Moments earlier, the same car had struck and killed a middle-aged male pedestrian. Police are yet to formally identify the man, while the driver, a 63-year-old man, was interviewed and released by police pending further inquiries.

Hamdan escaped uninjured, but his female patient was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries. The 50-year-old woman from Roxburgh Park was stable as of Tuesday morning.

Hamdan, who is the only doctor at the clinic, said he did not want to detail what he saw so soon after the incident, but he was grateful to people who reached out in support.

“I’m really sorry I saw [the accident] happen,” he said. “I’ve been a GP for a long time, and this accident isn’t going to stop me from doing what I love to do.”

Hamdan said he had been the woman’s doctor for many years at a different location before Monday’s crash.

“We only opened a few months ago, and so far, we have a very good relationship with the community,” he said.

“We will rebuild, it might take a few months, but we appreciate all the support. Yesterday, even this morning, I’ve had a lot of calls and messages from patients and relatives asking if we need any help.”

Hamdan also said his heart went out to the family of the man who died, who he did not know.

Police officers outside the Niddrie medical centre after Monday’s crash.

People were laying bouquets of flowers outside the boarded-up entrance to the practice on Tuesday.

One of them, Geraldine Maguire, was on her morning walk with her dog when the crash occurred.

“There was a girl who was hysterical and two girls were consoling her, and you just look up when something like that happens,” she said.

“I was thinking, ‘What is it? Has she broken up with her boyfriend or something?’ Then I stopped, and two guys there said a car had gone through [the shopfront] and there’s a guy hanging out the window.”

A message on flowers at the scene of Monday’s fatal car crash in Niddrie.

Maguire said while she didn’t know any of the people involved in the incident, she wanted to leave flowers to acknowledge the life of the dead man and the fact that his family and friends are in mourning.

“Five minutes earlier and it could have been me.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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