Doncaster East balcony collapse: Family, friends grieve adored mum

THE family of an adored mother of two tragically killed in a balcony collapse at a Christmas party in Doncaster East are struggling to come to terms with their sudden loss.

THE family of an adored mother of two tragically killed in a balcony collapse at a Christmas party are struggling to come to terms with their sudden loss.

Cheryl Taylor, 59, of Croydon, was one of two women killed in Saturday’s accident in Doncaster East. Seventeen other people were hurt.

DONCASTER EAST BALCONY COLLAPSE TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MANNINGHAM COUNCIL OFFICIALS

TWO DEAD IN DONCASTER EAST BALCONY COLLAPSE

Cheryl Taylor with daughter Melissa.

The scene down the side of the house. Picture Andrew Tauber

About 10.30pm, 30 guests at the Tupperware party were gathering on the balcony of the two-storey Balinga Court home for a group photo when the overloaded floorboards collapsed, sending them all crashing to the ground.

Family and friends said on Monday Ms Taylor, who died at the scene, was a “lovely lady with a heart of gold”.

Her daughter, Melissa, shared a photograph of her mother on Facebook, saying: “There is a light and it never goes out.”

TRIBUTES FLOW FOR ADORED BALCONY VICTIM

Cheryl Taylor with family. Picture: Supplied

Cheryl Taylor was killed when the balcony collapsed at a Tupperware party in Doncaster East

A friend and fellow Tupperware employee told the Herald Sun the world had lost a wonderful soul.

“To lose a loved one is one of the hardest things in life but at this time of year, (it) is something you just can’t fathom,” said the friend, who did not want to be named.

Ms Taylor, who had an “outrageous sense of humour”, would “do anything for anyone”. “She had a natural talent for speaking in front of crowds,” the friend said.

Gemma Kalmar, who worked with Ms Taylor as a manager at Tupperware, also paid tribute to her friend on Facebook: “I go to bed with a heavy heart. You will be missed, Cheryl.”

Another friend wrote: “I’ll miss the fun and laughter that you brought into my life. My heart is hurting.”

One of the guests told the Herald Sun on Monday she had feared for her life when the balcony collapsed and bodies tumbled to the ground.

“It all just happened so quick,” Casey Leerentveld said. “Before I knew what was happening, I was crushed and trapped.”

Flowers placed under a tree at the house. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Police leave the house. Picture: Andrew Tauber

She said she managed to “wiggle” her way out.

“I was lucky. There were some heroes there,” she said.

“Someone saved lives holding up a fridge, stopping it from crushing others.

“He’s a hero.”

Ms Leerentveld said: “The photo never got taken. We hadn’t even gotten that far and into position.

“Most people weren’t even on that side of the deck yet.”

Ms Leerentveld suffered severe injuries, including a broken knee and deep cuts from broken bottles. “I’ve had a lot of glass removed from my legs,” she said.

Tupperware and Nutrimetics Australia and New Zealand president Daisy Chin-Lor expressed “deepest” condolences to the families of those killed.

Ms Chin-Lor said her thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected in the accident.

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