A wave of grief swept through the community in Yerushalayim on Wednesday following the tragic passing of four-and-a-half-year-old Frieda Hershkowitz a”h, who was fatally struck by a vehicle in the Meah Shearim neighborhood.

The devastating accident occurred shortly after midday on Rechov Harav Shmuel Salant. The young girl was hit by a passing vehicle, prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel.

First responders performed extensive resuscitation efforts at the scene before evacuating her in critical condition to a hospital in Yerushalayim. Despite the determined efforts of medical teams, she succumbed to her injuries, and her petirah was later confirmed.

The tragic news spread quickly, leaving family members, friends, neighbors, and residents of the surrounding Chareidi neighborhoods in profound shock and mourning.

Following the accident, ZAKA volunteers responded both at the scene and at the hospital to assist the family and ensure that every aspect of the situation was handled with dignity and according to halachah.

“With the receipt of the report, ZAKA volunteers were dispatched to the scene of the accident,” said Bentzi Auering, Commander of ZAKA’s Jerusalem District, together with Tzvi Yurovitz, a ZAKA Yerushalayim District minilance driver. “After the girl’s death was pronounced at the hospital, the volunteers worked at the scene collecting all findings out of respect for the deceased. At the same time, they accompanied the family at the hospital and assisted in coordinating with all the relevant authorities until she could be brought to burial.”

ZAKA’s legal department worked with police and the appropriate legal authorities to expedite the process. Following those discussions, it was decided that the child’s body would be released directly for kevurah without being transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Auering praised the efforts of the volunteers and those involved in securing the family’s request.

“From the moment the report was received, ZAKA volunteers worked at both the scene and the hospital alongside the family. At the same time, ZAKA’s legal department coordinated with all the relevant authorities, and with siyata diShmaya the process was completed and the child was released for burial without being transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine.”

Michael Gutwein, coordinator of ZAKA’s legal department, said the organization regularly assists bereaved families during their most difficult moments.

“Members of the legal department accompany families during their hardest moments and work with all the authorities to ensure the swift release of the deceased for burial while preserving the dignity of the deceased and the rights of the family.”

The circumstances surrounding the fatal accident remain under investigation. The levayah is expected to take place as soon as arrangements are completed.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

{Matzav.com}