Five Australian primary school children were killed when their bouncy castle fell 30ft to the ground by a mini tornado.
At 10:10 on Thursday, Addison Stewart (11 years old), and Peter Dodt (12, JyeSheehan, Peter Dodt and Jye Sheehan) were both killed during the end-of-term celebrations at Hillcrest Primary in Tasmania.
Tragic events occurred on the school’s sports field. A sudden gust of wind swept a bouncy house they were using into the air, and caused them to tumble to the ground.
The lives of three more classmates were not saved. One suffered’serious injury’ and was later released.
Police began to investigate the tragedy and determine if the bouncy house was securely attached to the ground. Andrew, a single father, wrote a touching Facebook tribute to his son Peter.
My baby boy Peter Dodt grew his wings today and has left me heartbroken. I’d do anything for him to come back,’ he said.
‘Dad loves you so much. Peter, I will see you in heaven until then.
Peter Dodt (12), was born in Devonport (Tasmania) with Andrew his dad and sisters. His life ended tragically on Thursday.
Zane (pictured), was celebrating his final day at primary school when he and four classmates died.
Zane Hillcrest Primary School Graduate (pictured with father Tim) was first victim to be identified
Addison Stewart (pictured), was one of five students tragically killed after the jumping castle was lifted to 10m in the air.
However, investigators are yet to provide details on how the tragedy occurred.
It is now known that the children involved in various end-of-term activities were spread across the field when the tragedy occurred. Other children waited in line for the chance to play with the bouncy castle, which then took off.
Friday morning will see the The mother of the boy next in line shared her regret and relief at her son’s lack of time for the bounce house before tragedy struck.
She gave her only name as Tanya and said, ““We all feel heartbroken for those involved and are guilty that our children weren’t hurt,” she stated.
“The school had an a [bouncy castle]Last year, school broke up as well. It’s hard to imagine how a day of fun activities would turn out.
Her nine-year-old son, who was not named, added: “It was now our turn, and we were about to descend to the [sports field].’
“Grade 5 and 6 went first. We were still waiting.”
Tanya stated that she was going through Christmas shopping and heard about the tragedy. She rushed to get with her son.
A parent, who chose not to be identified, told The Australian that the ‘freak incident’ was caused by a mini tornado.
He stated, “Only yesterday was my wife at the school to take photos of the kids before the summer break,”
‘They were all so happy … what has happened today is just so gut wrenching. All are in shock.
His daughter described his school scene as “chaos.”
‘They were herding the kids from the schoolyard into the classrooms to get them away, but they had windows overlooking what was happening – so they had to move them again,’ he said.
Pictured: Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, who also died in the tragedy on Thursday morning
Police announced on Friday afternoon that Jye Sheehan, 12, was also one of the victims
One of the first to be identified was Zane, described in online tributes by family and friends as a ‘beautiful, caring, gentle soul’ in online tributes.
Denitta Ryder (Zane’s stepmother) said that Zane meant the world for Tim and will miss him without his son.
She stated, “We are going to be missing him so much. his cheeky smile. A smile so large his eyes would lighten up.”
“Zane’s dad Tim considers his children his entire world, and without him he would be completely lost.”
Tim Mellor posted a picture of himself and his son on Thursday night just hours after the tragic events.
He wrote, “I’m going miss you, buddy,”
Ms Ryder stated that her stepson was intelligent and enjoyed going on adventure with his family.
She shared that he was gentle with his siblings younger brothers, and they loved him as much as he did.
To ensure Mr Mellor doesn’t worry about money as he mourns his loss, she set up a Go Fund Me account.
Witnesses claimed that distraught parents wept when hearing what had happened to their children.
Tamara Scott was overwhelmed when Peter’s aunt explained that Andrew Dodt (the boy’s dad) had ‘beyond destroyed’.
‘He went to the school this morning to collect his school bag – he felt he had to do that, and he just cuddled it and cried,’ Ms Scott said.
‘He’s unrepairable.’
Tasmanians visited Hillcrest Primary School Thursday and Friday, to pay respect.
An aunt who cared deeply for Andrew said that her brother has sole custody of the four children. But, that they shared a special bond.
She said that ‘He loved him with all he had’.
“It was him against the world.
Ms. Scott stated that her nephew had a determination to conquer ADHD and be an astronaut.
Andrew’s family created a Go Fund Me campaign in order to assist with funeral and living expenses.
Police refused to confirm whether or not the jumping castle had been tied down at a Friday press conference The air flew into the sky.
“Was your jumping castle tied at all?” one reporter asked.
‘That Forms part of The investigation,” said Darren Hine, Tasmanian Police Commissioner.
It is safe to say that all the victims were within the castle. To present the coroner a complete picture, we need to gather the movements of all the people.
The strong wind gust also caused seven zorb ball, which are inflatable large balls that can be used by children, to take flight. However, the commissioner was again tight-lipped on the details.
“What’s the relationship with the zorb ball, was it inside or outside the castle? a reporter asked.
He stated, “That will form part the investigation,”
Pictured are Bouquets with flowers and cards from Hillcrest Primary School Devonport (Tasmania) on Friday
“But, my understanding is the zorb ball were outside. However, it will still be part of the investigation.
Another journalist asked the Commissioner if all of the victims had been in the jumping castle when he responded the same way.
He said, “Again, this forms part of our investigation.”
It is safe to say that all the victims were within the castle. To present the coroner a complete picture, we need to gather the movements of all the people.
On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the tragedy in Tasmania as “horrific” and stated that he had been in touch with the Tasmanian Police Chief.
“It is my sincere regret that five precious young lives have been lost and that so many others are still at risk,” he stated.
“I’d like to say thank you all for your first response. Every day, our first responders are prepared to handle the most difficult situations. But this time it was beyond their wildest dreams.
He said that he would pray for victims’ families, as he has two daughters of his own.
He said, “A parent does not have words. He stated, “There cannot be any prayers.”
Hine also stated that there were nearly 40 year 5/6 students participating in the activities.
He said that several adults witnessed the inflatable equipment being lifted up into the air. They rendered initial aid until the emergency service arrived.
Eyewitnesses to the scene shared horrifying accounts, including those who saw distraught parents sobbing in the gutter.
On Friday, half of the Devonport Council chambers’ flags were in place to honor young victims.
Hillcrest Primary School is in Tasmania where two officers of police console one another after the deaths of four children who were hit by a jumping tower ten meters into the sky.
The tragedy was described by Peter Gutwein, Tasmania’s premier, as “beyond comprehension”.
It is heartbreaking, devastating. It is just beyond comprehension. It was supposed to be a time of celebration at the end, but it turned out to be a tragedy for Hillcrest Primary’s young students.
“As an adult, I don’t get how parents must feel about losing their child.
“But, I’m a parent and hope they’ll understand what we’re feeling for them.”
Online tributes are flooding in for beloved classmates who were remembered as a “beautiful and caring boy” and a “precious” girl with an “old soul.”
On Friday, Zane’s aunt wrote an emotional tribute.
On Facebook, she wrote, “My heart hurts so much, I don’t know how to write this,”
“I never would have thought I’d have to say good-bye to you, my boy. Yesterday was a sad day for me and my family. My first nephew, my sister, died.
“Thank you for all the love and support that we received. You can rest easy, my beautiful boy. I will live every day for you.
To help Zane and his family through this difficult time financially, a GoFundMe page was created.
“Zane was such an amazing, kind, and caring soul. He had many challenges as a child with autism and ADHD. But that didn’t stop him from moving forward. “He kept striving,” the fundraising message reads.
“This tragedy has shaken so many people, and we are determined to make it better. [his mum]This is a difficult time.
Addison’s aunt started a GoFundMe campaign to assist her parents in navigating life without their little girl.
She wrote, “My niece tragically died in an accident at Hillcrest Primary.”
“I want to raise funds for my brother in law and sister-in-law so they can pay funeral expenses, and some other bills. They also need to be able to live without their beautiful daughter.
“I don’t know where to start at the moment. We are all devastated. She was an old, sweet soul.
‘We all love you Paddi Melon.’
It is located in Devonport, northern Tasmania (pictured). Hillcrest Primary School posted an advertisement online prior to the incident, promoting its “Big Day In” celebration for parents
Police officers who were distraught were seen assisting each other on the spot of the tragedy while parents trying to determine if their children are dead or alive were also seen.
Darren Hine (Tasmanian Police Commissioner) stated on Thursday that an inquiry will take’sometime’ due to the need for many witnesses to be interviewed.
On Thursday, Commissioner Hine stated to reporters that she would be providing a report for the coroner as part of WorkSafe Tasmania.
The coroner will then be able to perform an inquest.
Tasmania’s Education Department is offering support for children, parents, and staff over the coming days, as well as into school holidays. First responders have also received counselling.
Secretary Tim Bullard stated that ‘our approach is being guided in part by our senior psychologists who have been trained in trauma informed practice’.
Daily Mail Australia was informed by Connor that a local resident lives just across the street from his friend and she ran to him when she heard the sirens.
He stated, “She initially thought that there had been a shooting.”
“She described the scene as terrifying and confronting with children all over the ground.
‘[But]What really got her was watching her parents cry in the gutters on the other side of the road, their head down.
“The community has been devastated.”
Bob Smith said he had seen children playing on the ground near his home.
He stated that there was only one gust of wind at the time on a calm day.
“At first, we believed it was an emergency service training exercise. Then the truth of what was actually happening hit us.”
Numerous parents panickedly rushed to school within an hour after the tragedy. They were not sure if their children had died or were still alive. One parent claimed that they had been left behind.
She said, “I’m here right now they won’t let us into, it was (child’s name) grade, but no one knows yet who was hurt,”
One added: “I have a friend with kids there, and he hasn’t heard anything yet,” another.
Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Canada, described the incident as “unimaginably heartbreaking”.
It turns out to be a terrible tragedy that young children are being taken along with their families on a family day. He said it while visiting the NSW Central Coast.
“It breaks my heart.”