Girl, 4, who died after being hit by car remembered as 'extraordinarily happy' child

A four-year-old girl who died after she and her mother were hit by a car in Winnipeg is being remembered as a lively, happy child who was "extraordinarily loved" by her family.

The woman and girl newcomers to Canada were hitwhile in a crosswalk atIsabelStreet and Alexander Avenue around noon Monday.

On Wednesday,the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) identified the first names of the girl and her mother as Galila and Genet.

DorotaBlumczynska,the executive director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) said she did not know thegirl, Galila, personally, but staff at IRCOM did.

"I know from my colleagues that Galila was very energetic, full of lifeand extraordinarily happy," she said in an emotional interview with CBC.

"And I know from just exchanging a few words with the dad, he had such extraordinary hopes for life here. They had waited for so long to come."

IRCOMposted a statement fromBlumczynskato their Facebook earlier in the day Wednesday, where theyalso thanked first responders who tried to save the girl's life.

"Please know that we are here with you, that all of Winnipeg loves and supports you, and that we can and will help carry even the smallest bit of sorrow with you through these trying times," the statementsaid.

Galila and her mother werea block away from Dufferin elementary school, where they were headed to meet the girl's six-year-old brother for a lunch break.

The mother remains in critical butstable condition in hospitaland is expected to recover, though she has a long road ahead of her,Blumczynskasaid.

She said the mother suffered extensive lower body injuries.

The family isfrom Eritrea and just arrived in the city last month, Blumczynska said.

"You can tell the children are extraordinarily loved, and they're part of a very strong community," she said.

They spenta decade in refugee camps in Israel and other countries before arriving in Canada and eventually becomingtenants ofIRCOM, which runs a transitional housing complex just south of the intersection where the two were hit.

Blumczynska said the girl's father shifts between a state of shock and grief.

"He weeps from the core of his being and just repeatedly asks why. And there's no answer to that," she said.

Police are still investigating the incident and have not arrested or charged anyone.

Theybelieveseveral people may have witnessed it and are asking them to come forward.

As well, they areasking businesses in the area to review their security camera footage and for the drivers ofbuses, trucks and garbage trucksto check their dash cameras, in case they captured the crash.

Tips can be made to the Winnipeg police traffic division at 204-986-7085 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

IRCOMis hoping to have a memorial gathering at some point, but is waiting for the family's permission.

If anyone wishes to support the family, they can contact IRCOM, which will make sure any donations are delivered to them,Blumczynska said.