Sad border twist in jumping castle tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School
The mother of one of the children killed in a jumping castle tragedy was kept apart from her son for almost a year due to border closures.
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The mother of one of the children killed in the jumping castle tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania has been hit by two tragedies.
Not only did her son die in the freak accident, Covid-19 border closures meant she hadn’t been able to see him for almost a year because she lived interstate.
The revelation comes as a sixth child was confirmed to have died in the incident.
Miranda McLaughlin had finally been able to fly to Tasmania from her home in South Australia just five days before her 12-year-old son Peter Dodt’s death.
She said she was grateful to have spent those final few days with “our little ginger ninja”.
She remembered Peter as a boy with a big heart.
“Peter was full of life, always making people smile with his antics. His heart was bigger than the world,” she told the Daily Mail on Sunday.
“Words cannot explain what a beautiful soul he was or the loss we feel without him, forever in our hearts.”
Peter’s father Andrew Dodt had full custody of his three children.
Aunt Tamara Scott said Andrew was “beyond shattered” his boy is gone.
“He loved his dad with everything he had. It was him and his dad against the world,” Tamara said.
Andrew wrote a heartfelt tribute to his “baby boy” on the evening of his death.
“My baby boy Peter Dodt has grown his wings this afternoon and left me so heart broken,” he shared on Facebook.
“I would do anything in this world just to have him back.
“Dad loves you so much. Peter, till I see you again in heaven xxxx.”
A sixth child was today confirmed as having died following the jumping castle tragedy.
Tasmanian police named 11-year-old Chace Harrison as the latest student to have passed away in a press conference on Sunday.
Police Commissioner Darren Hine and Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein spoke to media, saying Chace died a “short time ago”.
“It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm an 11-year-old boy passed away in hospital this afternoon,” Mr Hine said.
“His name is Chace Harrison. Our thoughts continue to be with his family, and the families and loved ones of all the children involved, during what is an incomprehensibly difficult time.
“Nine children were seriously injured in Thursday’s incident. Devastatingly six children have now passed away.”
He said that two children remain in a critical condition in the Royal Hobart hospital, and one child is now recovering at home.
The Tasmanian premier also expressed deep sadness at learning of Chace's death.
“I firstly want to offer my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the family at this very sad time,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I’m certain that all Tasmanians share with me a deep sadness and a heartache that young Chace Harrison, another child involved in this terrible tragedy has now passed away … we all feel this terrible loss.”
He said that the government will continue to provide all support it can to those impacted by the incident, and urged people to reach out for help when needed.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and will be for some time. It is a matter of priority for the coroner.
“We are working tirelessly with all parties concerned to ensure the extensive investigation is completed as a matter of priority for the Coroner,” Mr Hine said.
“The investigation is being led by Devonport Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from officers from Launceston CIB, under the direction of the coroner.
“Their priority will be to interview all witnesses, gather and analyse forensic evidence and all environmental aspects, including weather patterns and conditions at the time of the incident.
“Given the magnitude of this critical incident and the need to speak to a large number of traumatised children within a short period of time, we have accepted an offer from NSW Police to assist in conducting interviews in relation to the investigation.”
He said that four forensic child interviewers will travel to Tasmania today to help conduct interviews with young witnesses over the coming days.
“It is paramount we don’t pre-empt any outcome until all evidence is gathered and the investigation is complete. This will allow the Coroner to determine the findings based on all the available evidence and facts,” he said.
“Community recovery arrangements are in place, and our thoughts continue to be with the families, loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy.
“The loss of six young lives will be felt by our community for a long time – so please take care of yourselves and those around you.”
The sad news comes after Georgie Gardam, the mum of one of the children killed in the horrific Devonport jumping castle tragedy shared a gut-wrenching Facebook post in honour of her son, Zane Mellor.
She wrote about the 12-year-old’s love of video games and shared several family photos of the Hillcrest student.
“To the love of my life, my first born, my world,” Ms Gardam began.
“I miss you beyond words, this isn’t real, how do we go on without you, we know we gave you the best life, I may of let you game a little too long or spoil you with too much McDonald’s and Hawaiian pizza and buy too many PlayStation games but everything I did in life was for you.
The sixth grade student was one of the six children who died when a jumping castle and several zorb balls were lifted about 10 metres into the air by a freak gust of wind on Thursday.
Hillcrest Primary was celebrating the last day of the 2021 school year, with a ‘Big Day In’ event which included activities like the jumping castle and inflatable zorb balls.
With permission from the parents, police have identified the other three children who lost their lives: Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan.
The tragic event sent shockwaves through the small town of Devonport in north Tasmania, with several mourners sharing flowers and paying tribute to the fallen children.
Handwritten notes shared crushing messages to the childrens’ families and the community.
“In loving memory of these beautiful children who are no longer with us,” read one note.
“Our hearts break for the families and the community left behind. Thinking of you all.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny also visited the site on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, the Herald Sun reported jumping castle operators, Taz-Zorb Launceston have removed their website and Facebook page in light of Thursday’s tragic events.
Police are now investigating and speaking to witnesses who saw the tragedy unfold first-hand, however Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine warned that proceedings “would take some time”.
“The investigation is ongoing and police are preparing a report for the coroner with the support of WorkSafe Tasmania,” Mr Hine said.
“I know this means you will have some questions that we are not able to answer as many details will be a matter for the coroner.”
For anyone in need of assistance, there is a range of 24-hour support services available:
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
• Mental Health Services Helpline – 1800 332 388
• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
Originally published as Sad border twist in jumping castle tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School
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