Five children dead, classmates critical after jumping castle incident at Hillcrest Primary School
Five names and faces of Tasmania’s horror schoolyard jumping castle accident have been released as the community comes to terms with a heartbreaking holiday period ahead.
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The names of the five children tragically killed in yesterday’s jumping castle tragedy in Tasmania’s north have been released by police, with permission from their families.
Hillcrest Primary School students Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, and Peter Dodt, 12, died after they fell about 10m from a jumping castle after it was carried into the air by a freak gust of wind while celebrating the end of school on Thursday.
Lives lost
“Our thoughts continue to be with the families, loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
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
The children were taking part in end-of-year festivities at the school about 10am when tragedy struck.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said there were close to 40 Year 5 and 6 children in attendance at the time of the incident.
While initial reports said the children were injured and killed in a jumping castle, which had been lifted into the air, Commissioner Hine said zorb balls outside the jumping castle would also form part of the investigation.
Mr Hine detailed the impact the tragedy had on the community and first responders.
“There’s no doubt this incident will leave its mark, “ he said
“Tasmanians are already coming together to support each other at this very difficult time … the Devonport region is feeling this loss deeply,” he said.
Mr Hine praised emergency responders and first responders who carried out their duties during the “confronting and distressing” incident.
Department of Education secretary Tim Bullard said supporting the children, family and staff affected was the department’s main priority.
He said a team of school psychologists, chaplains and social workers had already started offering support to those in need and the health department was helping with access to mental health services and the department will maintain contact with families and staff through the school holidays.
“There will be lasting impacts to our students, our families and our staff,” he conceded.
“This event may impact your own children right across the state so it’s important we take particular care of them and surround them with our love at this time.”
“It’s fair to say the majority of those injured were in the jumping castle,” he said.
Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania was in a state of the grief following the incident.
“The tragedy that occurred yesterday is beyond comprehension. It’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Mr Hine said police were liaising closely with the families of the children involved.
“Tasmanians are already coming together to support each other at this very difficult time. The whole community and particularly the Devonport region is feeling this loss deeply.
“Support those around you and ask for help if you are struggling. That is so important. I have already spoken to some of the officers and emergency responders who attended and I would like to thank them again for their incredible response to such a confronting and distressing incident.
“Again, my heart goes out to all those affected and my thoughts are with them.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said the Tasmanian community “continue to hope and pray for the four children who remain in hospital, that they will be able to recover”.
“The tragedy which occurred yesterday is beyond comprehension,” Mr Gutwein said.
“It is devastating, heartbreaking. It’s just simply incomprehensible.
“What should have been a celebration for the end of the school year turned into an unfortunate tragedy for our young children at Hillcrest Primary.
“Overnight there has been an enormous outpouring of grief as well as support for those involved here in Devonport, across Tasmania, across the country and indeed across the world.”
Mr Gutwein said he was grateful for the support at this very sad time.
“Overnight, and again this morning, I have had the opportunity to speak with people in this community, to come to understand just how connected this community is, the number of people I’ve spoken to that knew people who were there yesterday, or had connections to the school, and I know that this is going to be a very challenging time for this entire community,” he said.
“I know that I speak for all Tasmanians when I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of everyone affected by this tragedy.
As a parent, I cannot understand how the parents of those who have lost children must be feeling. But as a parent, I hope that they can understand that we are all feeling for you, as well.”
The Premier said a full investigation was under way and the coroner had visited the scene.
“I make a commitment to all of the families impacted by this tragedy that we will stand with you and we will support you,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I spoke just a short time ago with the Prime Minister and he has offered any support that we need and I have been working closely with the Mayor and where support, where services, where counselling is required, then we will provide those services.
“My heart goes out to everyone that is impacted by this tragic event, for the four children especially who remain in hospital — our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families during this difficult time.”
He reminded the community of the help numbers if they were needed: Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, mental health help line 1800 333 288 and Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
“For many people, these numbers appear as just numbers on a screen, but it is real,” he said.
“If you need someone to speak to, pick up the phone and have a conversation. It is really important that you do so.”
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockcliff said the whole community was “still in shock”.
“Certainly we are still trying to get our heads around how we could possibly be losing these children, and, as has been mentioned, we are a very connected community,” Cr Rockliff said.
“Everybody knows somebody, and we are already seeing people wrapping their arms around each other and supporting each other and I know that that will continue, but we as council will certainly be working with counselling services and social responders.
“I know the council recovery team is meeting soon to see how best we can do that. But as I said, I’m seeing what I know about my community, they are taking care of each other because everyone is connected in some way.”
The mayor said they were rallying around the region’s emergency service workers who had to attend Thursday’s tragic scene.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was for them … to get on with the job that they needed to do to try to support these children, and I’m sure that probably today they are trying to process some of that, as we all are,” Cr Rockliff said.
“As a mum and a grandmother, I can’t imagine — I cannot imagine — but we will do the
best that we can as a community to support everyone.”
TRIBUTES PILE UP AS COMMUNITY MOURNS
Floral tributes are piling up outside the primary school where the five children died as the state and nation come to terms with the tragedy.
The state’s police commissioner called it “one of the most serious tragedies any of us will see in Tasmania”.
Police confirmed on Thursday that two boys and two girls had lost their lives. Later on Thursday evening, a fifth child died in hospital.
Another three children are in hospital with critical injuries while the condition of another child is listed as serious.
Family of jumping castle victim Peter Dodt described the 12-year-old as their “littlest treasure” who would be sorely missed by many.
Peter’s aunt Tamara Scott said she and her brother, Peter’s father Andrew, were “completely broken” over the sudden loss.
“He was mischievous and full of adventure,” Ms Scott told News Corp Australia.
“You don’t drop your kid at school and think you’re not going to pick them up.
“Andrew is beyond repair. Peter was his baby.
“My heart is broken and my brother is shattered. Our family has lost its littlest treasure.”
Ms Scott said Peter’s father visited the school on Friday to pick up personal belongings.
“It was overwhelming,” she said of the visit to Hillcrest primary school.
“We picked up his bag, his hat and his glasses from school. Because that is all we have got now.”
She said Peter was taken to Launceston hospital in the aftermath of the accident but tragically passed away on Thursday night.
“He fought until the very end,” she said of her nephew’s brave fight.
“His internal bleeding was too much in the end.”
Ms Scott described her family as tight-knit, saying they often travelled together on camping trips near the beach.
She said Peter had three older siblings, aged 14, 16 and 23 who were all inconsolable.
The accident was made all the more tragic considering Peter had been eagerly anticipating the school’s “Big Day In” celebration on Thursday.
“He was looking forward to it, he was that proud of himself for finishing the year,” she said.
“He took his school teacher a bottle of champagne, chocolates and he told her that he loved being in her class and that she was the best teacher. He loved school and was a high achiever.
“We are going to miss him.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for Peter’s family.
Young victim Addison Stewart has been described by family as a “sweet, kind, old soul”.
Aunty Meghan Aherne took to Facebook to share a link to a GoFundMe that she launched for her brother and sister-in-law to help pay for funeral costs and bills “while they try and navigate life without their precious daughter”.
“I don’t even know what to write at this stage,” Ms Aherne said.
“Everyone is devastated.”
Tributes are also flowing for grade 6 student Zane Mellor, described by family friends as a “gorgeous boy”.
“Zane was such a beautiful, caring, gentle soul who had challenges growing up with his autism and adhd but that never set him back he kept achieving,” a public GoFundMe page reads.
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockcliff spoke about the tragedy on The Project Thursday night, saying the community was “still coming to terms” with the accident.
“To be honest I think we are all still in shock,” Cr Rockliff said.
“We’re certainly trying to take care of each other but I think we’re all still struggling to get our heads around it.
“I did meet all of those children last week, I was in their classroom for about an hour or so, so it’s pretty tough to think about that.”
She also spoke about the effect the tragedy had on emergency services, after images of police officers consoling each other in the playground were broadcast across the nation.
“Certainly I know first responders had their wellbeing team spring into action, I understand there were at least 70 ambulance officers on site for most of that time and then there were obviously police and fireys were involved, as well,” Cr Rockliff said.
“They’re all members of our community, they all have connections in our community and many of them have children so for them it’s been a tough day as well.
“We’re all taking care of our children and each other as best we can at this point.”
A separate fundraiser launched by a member of the community has raised more than $170,000.
An investigation is under way into what went wrong and how the wind gust was able to lift the jumping castle from its footings.
“On a day we were meant to be celebrating we are instead mourning such a tragic loss,” Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said.
“Our hearts are breaking.
“The loss of children affects us all and our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the loved ones and the school community.”
Mr Gutwein said the tragedy was “devastating and heartbreaking” for all involved.
“It’s difficult for me to find the right words,’’ he said.
“On a day when schoolchildren were celebrating at the end of school term so close to Christmas, it is simply inconceivable that this shocking incident has occurred.
“I know that this is a strong and caring community that will stand together and support one another.
“I know that I speak for all Tasmanians when I say that we will stand with this community.”
School neighbour Bob Smith said he had come out on to his veranda opposite the oval where the children’s activities were taking place when he saw the castle fly up in the air.
“Then we heard a bang and saw kids on the ground,” he said.
“There was one really strong gust of wind on what was otherwise a beautiful calm day.
“At first we thought it might have been an emergency services training exercise, then the horrible reality of what was happening kicked in.”
Tasmania’s Education Department secretary Tim Bullard said: “I know personally that Hillcrest Primary School is a close-knit community.
“Today’s tragedy is something that will have a deep impact on the northwest community.”
Mr Bullard said support was being offered to students and staff.
“What has occurred today is a tragedy and no words I can say can take away the grief those families are feeling right now,’’ he said.
Police Commander Debbie Williams spoke to media from the scene at Hillcrest Primary School hours after the tragedy.
She said the investigation would take some time with many witnesses to interview.
A report was being prepared for the coroner.
“Police and emergency services were called to the scene just after 10am this morning, and it appears a wind gust has caused a jumping castle to lift into the air,” Commander Williams said.
“Several children fell from the jumping castle and it appears they have fallen from a height of approximately 10m.
“Police and emergency services were very quickly onto the scene and administered first aid.
“A number of the children were taken to hospital and some are in a critical condition.
“This is a very tragic event and our thoughts are with the families and wider school community and also our first responders.
“There is no doubt this has been a very confronting and distressing scene.
“Support and counselling is being made available to the families affected by this and the school community, along with the first responders.”
Several children have fallen from a height of 10 metres, causing serious injuries, after the wind blew a jumping castle into the air at a primary school in Tasmania's north-west @abcnewspic.twitter.com/tf01vevPab
— Monte Bovill (@MonteBovill) December 16, 2021
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the tragedy as “shattering” and said his government would remain in contact with Tasmanian counterparts as they piece together what happened.
“(It is) just unthinkably heartbreaking,” Mr Morrison said at a press conference on the NSW Central Coast on Thursday.
“Young children on a fun day out together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy at this time of year, it just breaks your heart.
“I just want to say on behalf of Jen and I to the parents and the family and friends and to all who were there, the young children who were witnessing these events … we just pray that you all have great family around you and great friends and that you will be able to come through this horrific tragedy.
“We will be staying in close contact with the Tasmanian government … but it’s a terrible tragedy, an unthinkable freak accident that will leave families completely devastated.”
Businesses closed early as a “sign of respect” for the families involved.
Bev’s Cross Crafts in Spreyton closed early, saying “our thoughts and prayers are with all involved” including the school staff, students and families.
The organisers of the Devonport Christmas Fun Run also announced they were postponing the event, urging the community to “look out for each other at this terrible time”.
“It is with such heavy hearts and tearful eyes that we are postponing the Devonport Christmas fun run,” they posted.
“The tragedy that took place at Hillcrest Primary today has rocked the whole community and our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected.”
The parents of the injured children were quickly notified after the incident, with weeping children taken home by their parents as ambulances treated the remaining injured pupils.
Students were participating in the school’s “Big Day In” celebration for the end of year.
Activities included the jumping castle, zorb balls, slippery slide, water and sprinkler play.
“The purpose for the day is to celebrate a successful year and enjoy some fun activities with class mates,” the school wrote on their Facebook page this week.
— With Brianna Travers
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