Mum ‘kills child, 5, and stabs two others before turning knife on herself’ in horror ‘murder-suicide attempt’

A MUM allegedly stabbed her three children, killing one aged five, before turning the knife on herself in an attempted murder-suicide. Police allege the mum, aged in her 40s, parked the vehicle near a national park before attacking her three children. A child has died and two others and a woman are fighting for life after a stabbing in the Blue Mountains Credit: ABC Police allege the mum parked up her car before attacking her three children Credit: Alamy A group of cyclists stumbled across the scene described as “barbaric” on Waratah Road at Valley Heights in Australia’s Blue Mountains early on Sunday afternoon. The three children, all aged five and under, were discovered suffering stab wounds inside a car parked on a vacant block near a fire trail. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Their badly injured mum was found outside the vehicle nearby. Desperate members of the public raced to help the wounded family and performed first aid while emergency crews scrambled to the scene. But despite frantic attempts to save the five-year-old child, they died at the scene. The mum and her two surviving children were rushed to hospital in critical condition. They were taken by road to Westmead Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as cops launched a major investigation into the tragedy. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna confirmed the mother was being treated as the suspect. Most read in The Sun He said: “The two children and their mother are in a critical condition. “The mother is the suspect in this matter, for domestic related homicide, and that investigation is ongoing.” Despite frantic attempts to save the five-year-old child, they died at the scene Credit: Alamy The mum and her two surviving children were rushed to hospital in critical condition Credit: Alamy “We will allege her condition is the result of self-inflicted wounds, so we have to wait for the medical side of things to play out.” If she survives the injury, he said: “Detectives will look to speak with her with the intent of charging her with homicide.” Investigators are not hunting for anyone else over the horror and said the woman had never previously come to the attention of police. The children’s father was at work when cops contacted him with the devastating news. Superintendent John Nelson said: “We’ve made contact with the father and obviously you can imagine receiving that tragic news. “That person is at work just going about their business and they’ve had this information provided to them.” Shocked locals said the quiet area was swamped by emergency crews as news of the gruesome discovery spread. Resident Glenn Lyall initially believed the huge police response was for a road accident after spotting a hatchback and two cyclists. He said: “I could see a hatchback on an angle and two cyclists pointing, and I thought the car had hit one of the cyclists.” Another resident described the harrowing scene, saying: “There was a lot of blood, and it was horrific to come across.” Waratah Road resident Peita Davies said neighbours were baffled by how the family had ended up there. She said: “Nobody heard anything. “We all want to know how they ended up here.” Supt Nelson praised the “upstanding” strangers who rushed towards the carnage and desperately tried to help. He said: “People are just going about a lovely Sunday afternoon and being confronted with this is traumatic and tragic for anybody.” The senior cop said officers confronted by the grim scene would also be offered support. He added: “Let me just say it’s obviously been a very difficult weekend, a very distressing weekend for many people. “This is the fourth death that we’ve had, potentially domestic violence-related.” The shocking attack capped a horror weekend across New South Wales after three women were allegedly murdered inside their homes within just 12 hours on Saturday. McKenna said the devastating string of deaths was unlike anything he could remember during his career. He said: “It’s a horrific and tragic weekend and it’s one that I don’t remember in my career. “When you balance out those three, plus the no-more-tragic situation than we had in the Blue Mountains, and put them all together, it’s unfathomable.” Blue Mountains councillor Darren Rodrigo described the latest tragedy as “absolutely horrendous and tragic”. He said: “Our deepest love and condolences to the immediate family and our prayers with all the children involved. “A massive thank you to the community members (who) intervened to provide medical assistance and to our first responders for their incredible support and courage during this time.” Police are now probing the weapon used and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack as their investigation continues.