Mt Isa caravan explosion: Father told how he wouldn’t leave children

A FATHER who died with his two children in a horrific explosion warned a friend days before the tragedy that he was having a “rough time” but wasn’t going anywhere without his kids.

JUST days before Charlie Hinder and his children were killed in a gas ­explosion, the father-of-two told a mate he was having a “rough time” but he was not going anywhere without his kids.

The 39-year-old boilermaker had shown signs of ­depression and said he was struggling with family matters.

He had separated from his partner Kath and it is believed the pair were locked in a bitter custody battle over daughter Nyobi, 7, and son River, 4, who were killed in Tuesday’s horrific blast in Mount Isa.

The police investigation into the deadly explosion could take months.

Mr Hinder’s friend Kev Spanner last night told The Courier-Mail he had told his friend to take a holiday and spend time with family in Rockhampton.

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“I’m not going anywhere without my kids,” Mr Hinder replied to Mr Spanner, who runs the local convenience store. “I can’t leave my kids.’’

Mr Spanner said: “He was down, but he was a good fella, quietly spoken, a loving father, and there was no sign of disaster.

“Four days ago I saw him again, asked how he was going, he threw out his arms and said ‘no better’.

“It could just be an accident. But in the back of my mind is just how depressed and down he had been for a long time.”

The children’s grandfather, Robert Smith, has spoken about his family’s loss, telling Fairfax media he was “absolutely devastated”.

Mr Smith described granddaughter Nyobi as outgoing, saying when she got on the phone he new he was “never going to get off now”.

He also said Mr Hinder lived in the caravan on the property since separating with his wife and that the children would sometimes sleep over out there, Fairfax reports.

Police are trying to piece together how two LPG gas cylinders were detonated in the caravan, causing explosions that tore off doors and shattered windows in homes up to 300m away and scattered debris in a 150m radius.

Shockwaves were felt by residents kilometres away.

Forensic officers will today continue the gruesome task of identifying bodies in the debris.

Charlie Hinder and his children Nyobi, 7, and River, 4, were killed in a gas explosion. Pic: North West Star

Police evacuated 50 homes – with 19 still in lockdown – and have blockaded several suburban streets.

Neighbours and family friends have been allowed to lay flowers at the perimeter.

Mother-of-twins Yendah Leewong, who lives opposite the blast site, broke down in tears as she told how her front door was ripped off its hinges and she emerged to see the home engulfed in flames.

She said she knew the two children and had often watched them happily playing in the front yard. “I heard a loud explosion, it shook the whole house,” she said.

Local Anita Varley, who also knew the children, left flowers as she paid tribute to “our lost little angels”.

“I just feel so sad. I used to see that caravan all the time, and now it’s gone, and so are those two beautiful children. It breaks my heart. Why did they have to die like that?”

The children’s mother Kath Hinder was still in shock and too “deeply traumatised” to make a formal statement, police said.

“This is a shocking scene,” acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor said.

“It has not only devastated a family but upset and saddened police and emergency service personnel, as well as the people of Mount Isa.”

Senior police asked some family members and others who had taken to social media in an outpouring of acrimony to “desist”.

“There is a lot of animosity between both sides of the different families,” a source said.

Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter said: “It’ll take a long time to come to grips with this awful tragedy.”

IF you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 131114, BeyondBlue

1300 224636, MensLine Australia 1300 789978 or Kids Helpline 1800 551800