A Sydney mother of two who was enjoying morning coffee with friends at a Sydney cafe has died after a car driven by an elderly man ploughed into them.
Liz Albornoz and her friends were sitting at a table outside the North Epping eatery on Friday morning when the Holden Commodore drove into them, pinning at least two people against a wall.
She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with stomach injuries but later died.
"They were just enjoying a meeting together, having coffee, and they were struck by this vehicle," Detective Inspector Mark Christie said.
The 39-year-old worked as an events manager for not-for-profit organisation Social Ventures Australia, News Corp reports.
"I have always been passionate about helping others and looking for opportunities to volunteer," her business profile states.
"At SVA I am able to bring together my interests and skills and work with people who share the same values. We all care about building a fairer Australia."
According to posts on social media, she has a husband and two young daughters.
Paramedics treated nine others, including four who were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Det Insp Christie described the scene of the accident as "horrendous and chaotic" for emergency services when they arrived.
"It appears that he's pulled into the parking spot and then there's been some sort of collision after that but we don't know the circumstances yet, they're still under investigation," he said.
"It's a very tragic set of circumstances that have occurred here today."
The 89-year-old driver has been taken to hospital for mandatory testing and will be interviewed at a later stage.
NSW Ambulance superintendent Steve Vaughan labelled the scene "absolutely frantic" and said paramedics did all they could.
"The scene was absolutely frantic for emergency services - there was carnage everywhere when we arrived," Mr Vaughan said.
Australian Associated Press
