A 15-year-old girl from Preston is still reeling from shock after watching her mother die in a freak accident at a Northcote service station Friday morning.

The teen was seated at the passenger seat in the family car while her mother was sending off his nephew, who was getting on a tram. It is understood the teen's mother intended to just wave goodbye and head back straight to the car.

When the mother noticed her Toyota Sedan was rolling, she tried to stop it from outside.

The victim then wound up pinned by her car against a concrete pillar. She died at the scene, 3AW reported.

"The car has then rolled back on her, pinning her against the bollard," the witness said.

Witnesses were able to call for help, but the woman was already dead when the paramedics arrived.

Members of the service station crew are still in shock over the tragic horror. Some of them are unable to speak to the media.

"We are offering support and counselling services to our people, including the franchisee and staff member present at the time of the accident," said a spokesperson for the service station.

The car had been parked on an incline at the High Street service station, theage.com.au reported.

3AW reporter Michelle Zydower said the woman, 48, was from Preston. She was apparently well-known in the area. The media learned she owned a restaurant located near the service station.

The young teen and the victim will not be named pending proper relay of information to immediate family members. It is understood the young girl will need assistance to overcome the death of her mother and her trauma from the nightmarish ordeal.

Family members have rushed to the scene. Police authorities are expected to prepare a report for the state coroner.

Story highlights

- 48-year-old woman drops off her nephew at a petrol station
- Woman leaves her daughter in passenger seat as her nephew boards a tram
- Woman realises her car is rolling back then quickly tries to stop it from behind
- A concrete pillar stops the car's motion, but woman gets pinned against it
- Woman dies in the scene as daughter watches in horror