The bouncy castle was blown 10 metres in the air at the end-of-term celebration
The first victims of the Tasmania bouncy castle tragedy has been named, as the death toll from the accident at a primary school end-of-year celebration hits five.
Five children have died and three more are seriously injured after falling from 10 metres in the air when the jumping castle was blown by a gust of wind at Hillcrest Primary School, near Devonport in north-west Tasmania, at about 10am on Thursday.
One of the victims has been identified as Zane Gardam, who was celebrating his last day of Grade 6 when the accident happened
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the boy’s family.
“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,” the fundraiser reads.
“This has shook so many people and the community and we want to do anything to help make things a little easier for [his mum] at this hard time.”
Fellow Grade 6 pupil Addison has also been identified as one of the victims, with tributes describing her as a “precious” girl with a “sweet, kind, old soul.”
A fundraising page for her parents has been set up to help them “navigate their life without their precious daughter.”
Addison’s aunt set up the page, writing: “My niece was tragically taken in the accident at Hillcrest Primary.
“I’m hoping to raise some money for my brother and sister in-law to help pay for funeral costs and to pay off some bills for them while they try and navigate life without their precious daughter.
“I don’t even know what to write at this stage. Everyone is devastated , she was always such a sweet kind, old soul.
“We all love you Paddi Melon.”
At the time of writing, the pages have together raised almost $15,000.
Speaking after the tragedy, Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said on Thursday afternoon: “On a day when these children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead we’re all mourning their loss.
“Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates, teachers of these young people who were taken too soon.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the accident as “unthinkably heartbreaking.”
“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,” he said while on a visit on the NSW Central Coast.
“It just breaks your heart.”
