Who ran over baby Tatiana?

A toddler was mown down and killed while playing in her backyard during a police pursuit which involved a violent offender in a stolen car.

A WOMAN who was allegedly a passenger in the stolen car involved in a crash that killed a 17-month-old girl during a police pursuit has appeared in court.

Tatiana 'Tahlia' Tauaifaga was playing with her siblings in the backyard of her western Sydney home when a black Audi crashed through a fence closely followed by one of at least four police cars chasing it.

The Audi, was being driven by a man police have described as "violent and a risk to the community" and remains on the run.

Kate Tuite, an alleged passenger in the car, has just fronted Central Local Court after being picked up by police in Darlinghurst earlier today.

The 22-year-old faces more than 10 charges including from being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, affray, stealing and possessing housebreaking implements.

Police also acted on six outstanding warrants against her.

Tuite was remanded in custody and will make a bail application on January 14.

Community members lay flowers at the scene of the tragedy. Source: News Corp Australia

It remains unclear whether Tatiana was struck by the Audi or one of the police cars chasing it — or both.

A police spokeswoman refused to comment on reports that Raymond Nair, a neighbour who was one of the first on the scene, claimed the girl was hit by a police car.

Police sources have told The Daily Telegraph that investigators believe that Tatiana was struck by the Audi.

A police spokewoman refused to comment on Mr Nair's claim given that the tragedy had been classified as a "critical incident".

"That will be a matter for the coroner," she told News.com.au.

Police have also refused to confirm or deny reports that an unmarked police car was leading four marked cars in the pursuit of the Audi.

The toddler aunt says she does not blame officers for the tragedy.

"They were just doing their job," the girl's aunt Losi Toleafoa said. "I feel so sorry for them. It is all just too sad."

Mrs Toleafoa said the family was extremely close-knit and treasured Tatiana, who was one of a twin — and her seven siblings.

"She was so strong for her age and full of life," she said. "She got along with all of her siblings, they were such a good group of girls together."

Earlier, a family friend described the horrific moment Tatiana was mowed down:

"She was lying there dead, covered in blood, with her eyes closed. The police are trying to say she died in hospital later but she didn't. She died right there on the ground."

Speaking from near the scene at Bessbrook Way, in Sydney's west, the friend said it had been a normal night for the family.

"The mum was in the kitchen and the dad was having a shower."

There was nothing they could do when they heard the crash — that was quickly followed by screams.

"They went outside and it was all over."

Another close relative, Joseph Tauaifaga, lashed out at those responsible for the tragedy.

"Wen I find u im gna kill ur whole family mutha***** !", he posted on Facebook.

He made the comment from Westmead Children's Hospital where doctors tried frantically to revive the toddler.

Tatiana's uncle has also spoken out, describing the little girl as "full of life".

"She was so happy, she would run around playing "castles" with her siblings all afternoon," Tulaga Toleafoa said.

Tatiana Tauaifaga, the 17-month-old killed after a police chase last night. Source: Supplied

The friend said the dead child was one of twins. There were eight children in the family and the siblings were all "traumatised".

Nobody could understand why it happened.

"That's the sort of people we have now in Australia. It's just sickening. But why were the police chasing so hard and fast? ... That's the question that has to be asked. How could this happen?"

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told news.com.au she often saw the Pacific Island family.

"They are nice people. You can sometimes see the children playing, always happily."

She had seen the children "playing on bicycles" yesterday afternoon. The 17-month-old was in the backyard though, not out on the road.

The neighbour was initially prevented from going into her house while police teams worked but later was allowed in.

She saw the mother being taken away last night. She had her head down, utterly distraught, and was being comforted by relatives who had their arms around her keeping her up.

Police have launched a critical investigation into the pursuit which Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli described as an "absolute tragedy" that had devastated the police officers involved.

"I am overwhelmed for the poor family and what they are going through," he said.

Police from the Metropolitan Robbery, the Middle Eastern Organised Crime and Tactical Operations units were involved in a sting at Constitution Hill in Western Sydney about 7pm yesterday when they chased the stolen car in the doomed pursuit.

Police at the scene where the car tore through a suburban back yard. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Assistant Commissioner Mennilli said it was a "highly volatile situation."

"The offenders had been described as violent and a risk to the community."

However, a police spokesman told news.com.au the man wasn't considered a danger to the community which is why he wouldn't be identified.

The arrested woman, 23, will appear on charges related to the police chase as well as other outstanding warrants.

There has been confusion among residents on which car hit Tatiana —with many believing it was the police car— however police sources told The Daily Telegraph it was the stolen car that struck the toddler.

After the driver crashed through into the backyard he kept going crashing through another fence into Richell Park and drove at 15 children playing cricket who dropped their bats and ran.

Neighbour Raymond Nair was one of the first on the scene.

"The children were crying out for their mum. They said their sister had been hit by the car."

Resident Carol Davis, 45, was watching the children play cricket when she heard what sounded like "steel ripping."

"Then we see this car flying out of the yard and a four-wheel-drive was chasing it down the hill."

Ms Davis said she screamed at the children to move.

A police officer at the scene overcome with emotion. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

"They have thrown their bats to the ground and everyone just ran for their lives," she said.

"I ran up to the house and I see the mother holding her new born baby, she was screaming.

"I could hear the kids in the house just going ballistic, they were petrified."

The offender's car was abandoned on nearby Lurgen Street and the occupants fled on foot.

Witnesses said there were no police sirens during the chase.

Assistant Commissioner Mennilli said a police vehicle chased the car through the park while other officers stopped and tried to save the dying child. The toddler's two older siblings received minor injuries.

"My condolences go out to the family and friends of that child. It is a pain that no parents should go through," he said.

Last night the driver was on the run.

An ambulance takes the child away from the scene. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Assistant Commissioner Mennilli called on his associates to give him up.

"We are reaching out to the community. This person is well known to them, they know who this person is it is best for them to come forward."

A 23-year-old woman was last night assisting police at Kings Cross police station.

Assistant Commissioner Mennilli said a critical investigation team had been established made up of officers from south west metropolitan region. The major crash unit is conducting a separate investigation.

"I must stress we had specialist resources on the ground for this particular job because of the risk to the community. We were dealing with violent offenders so we had to try to prevent these people from committing offences. Unfortunately it is a tragedy that has occurred," he said.

"I have actually spoken to police involved in this situation and they are distraught. These are family members, they have got children the same age."

Police and investigators at the scene last night. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: News Corp Australia

Neighbour Raymond Nair said he believed the killed child was a twin.

"A few other kids were hit and injured," Mr Nair said. "I was out for a jog and I heard the sirens.

"Then all these cars sped past me and straight through my neighbour's yard."

Mr Nair said a single mother with eight children lived in the townhouse. He said the mother told him that her daughter had died.

"The children were crying out for their mum. They said their sister had been hit by the car,'' he said. "She was a twin."

This map shows the route taken by the car that eventually killed a baby girl in her yard. Source: Supplied