A father who lost his son in a mini-tornado that lifted an inflatable jumping castle up to 10m into the sky, was devastated. He remembered his boy as being a mischievous child who dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
Peter Dodt was celebrating his last day at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, northern Tasmania, on Thursday morning when a freak gust of wind lifted the bouncing house off the ground, along with nine children who were playing inside.
The 12-year-old was killed in the disaster, along with four of his classmates – including Addison Stewart and Zane Gardam.
The Royal Hobart hospital has three more people fighting for their life. One was released, the other will remain at home.
Tamara Scott, Peter’s aunt, broke down Friday morning after telling Daily Mail Australia about Andrew Dodt’s death.
‘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.’
Pictured is Peter Dodt (12 years), who was tragically killed at a jumping-castle accident Thursday morning
Peter (pictured) is remembered for being a “mischievous” boy who wanted the opportunity to be an astronaut
Peter is shown with Andrew his father, and his two sisters Chloe (pictured to the right) and Cassie left (pictured to the left).
Andrew was a single dad with custody of all four children. However, his aunt explained that Peter and Andrew shared special bonds.
She said that he loved her dad with all he had.
It was him and his father against all odds.
Andrew wrote Thursday night a touching tribute to his baby boy.
He shared the following message on Facebook: “My little boy Peter Dodt has outgrown his wings and I am so broken,”
“I would do any thing in the world to have him back.
‘Dad loves you so much. Peter, I will see you in heaven until then.
Ms. Scott shared that her nephew was driven to overcome ADHD and become an astronaut.
Andrew’s family created a Go Fund Me campaign in order to assist with funeral and living expenses.
Peter Dodt, 12, was born in Devonport (Tasmania) with Andrew his father and sisters.
Peter, 12 years old, was very excited about starting at Reece High School next academic year.
Peter, pictured right as a child and left with his older sisters. He was the youngest member of his family.
Police refused to confirm whether or not the jumping castle had been tied down at a Friday press conference Into the air.
“Was the jumping structure tethered?” one reporter asked. one reporter asked.
‘That Forms part of The investigation, said Darren Hine (Tasmanian Police Commissioner).
“It’s fair to assume that the injured were in the castle. To present the coroner a complete picture, we need to gather the movements of all the people.
Seven large inflatable zorb ball, or zorb, balls were also able to take flight in the strong wind gust. 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 said, “That will be part of the investigation.”
“But, my understanding is the zorb ball were outside. It will be part of our investigation.
Zane Gardam is one of the Devonport jumping tragedy victims
Addison Stewart, (pictured) was another student who tragically died when the jumping tower was raised 10 metres high.
A second journalist attempted to inquire if the jump castle was full of young victims. The commissioner responded in a similar manner.
He said, “Again, this forms part of our investigation.”
“It’s fair to assume that the injured were in the castle. To present the coroner a complete picture, we need to gather the movements of all the people.
Hine stated that there were nearly 40 students in Year 6 and 5 taking part at the end of the term activities.
He stated that several adult witnesses were present when the inflatable equipment was lifted to the air. These adults rendered first aid until emergency personnel 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.
Zane was on his last day in primary school. His life was cut short by tragedy.
Zane Hillcrest Primary School Graduate (pictured with father Tim) was first victim to be identified
Peter Gutwein (Tasmanian Premier) described the tragedy in a way that is 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 a parent I can’t understand the grief that parents who have lost their children feel.
“But as a parent, it is my hope that they will understand the feelings we share for you.”
Online tributes are flooding in for beloved classmates who were remembered as a “beautiful and caring boy” and “precious” girl with an “old soul.”
On Friday, Zane’s aunt wrote an emotional tribute.
She shared the following on Facebook: “My heart is so heavy, broken, how can I even write it,”
“Never could I have imagined that I would have had to say good-bye to you, my boy. Yesterday, we lost my sister’s first child, my nephew. He was our first love, our heart, and our soul.
“Thank you all for your love and support. Our beautiful boy, rest easy. I will live every day for you.
After four children died after a jumping castle flew 10 metres in the air, two police officers from Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania consoled each other.
Pictured: The school can be found in Devonport, Tasmania. Hillcrest Primary School posted an advertisement online prior to the incident, promoting its “Big Day In” celebration for parents
To help Zane and his family through this difficult time financially, a GoFundMe page was created.
The fundraiser says that Zane “was such a beautiful, caring, gentle soul. Although he had some challenges as a child with ADHD and autism, he never gave up.
“This event has rocked so many people in the community, we are willing to do whatever it takes to ease their minds. [his mum]This is a difficult time.
Addison’s aunt also started a GoFundMe account to support her parents while they navigate life without their daughter.
She wrote, “My niece tragically died in an accident at Hillcrest Primary.”
“I want to help my brother and sister-in law pay their funeral costs, and some other bills. They are trying to navigate the world 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.’
Darren Hine, Tasmanian police commissioner (pictured with the premier of Tasmania), would not confirm whether the jumping castle had been secured before the tragedy.
As a community pay tribute to the victims, flowers and teddy bears are starting to gather around the school sign.
At the site of the tragedy, distraught officers from the police force were seen helping each other while anxious parents sought out information to see if their kids were still alive or dead.
Darren Hine, Tasmanian Police Commissioner, stated that an investigation would take’sometime’ because many witnesses need to be interviewed.
“We will be supplying a coroner report in conjunction with WorkSafe Tasmania,” Commissioner Hine said to reporters Thursday afternoon.
“That may take some time, and when it is completed the inquest will be conducted by the coroner.”
Tasmania’s Education Department offers support to families, children and staff during the next few days as well into the school holidays. Counselling has been also offered to emergency responders.
As the community grieves, flowers were placed at the base the fence.
A freak gust of wind blew the jumping castle into the air, killing 5 children and injuring many others (paramedics were on the scene).
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 spoke to Connor, a resident who said that his neighbour lives right across from the primary school. She ran up when she heard the sirens.
He stated, “She initially thought that there had been a shooting.”
She described it as “horrible and frightening”, with many children on the ground.
‘[But]The thing that got her most, however, was seeing her parents crying in the gutters by the side of the road, with their heads in the sand.
“The community has been devastated.”
The scene was attended to by two helicopter rescue teams and numerous ambulances on Thursday (pictured).
Bob Smith lives nearby the school and said that he witnessed children on the ground.
He said, “There was one strong gust of wind during a beautiful day.”
“We initially thought that it may have been an exercise for emergency services, but then we realized the real truth.
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 were being 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,”
Another added, “I know a friend who has children in that area and he still hasn’t heard any news.”
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. It just breaks your heart at this time of the year,” he stated while visiting the NSW Central Coast.
It just breaks your heart.