Devonport inflatable tragedy: More than a million dollars raised as children are named

Australia is one with the devastated families of the five children killed in Devonport’s Hillcrest Primary School tragedy, says Scott Morrison.

The Prime Minister and his wife Jenny have visited the North Coast School to show their respect.

“I would like to express our deepest sympathy to especially the five families who have lost the precious young people and we are also thinking of the families of the three who are still in a terribly critical condition,” Mr Morrison told reporters in Hobart ahead for the conference. trip.

“We think of the whole society that is just burdened by grief.

“As I said yesterday, there are no words, only prayers, for our fellow Australians in Tasmania and for the society that will carry this burden. And it will be a heavy burden. It will weigh them down.”

More than a million dollars have been raised in the community to support those grieving over the tragedy.

The children died after a gust of wind sent a bouncy castle 10 meters into the air during the celebration of the end of the year at the school on Thursday.

More than $ 1 million has been donated to families of children killed in a bouncy castle accident. Credit: AAP

11-year-olds Addison Stewart and Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt, all 12, lost their lives while three others are fighting for their lives.

Morrison says an additional $ 800,000 will also be made available to fund trauma counseling.

About $ 250,000 will go to first aiders involved in the wake of the accident and $ 550,000 to the wider community.

The money will be disbursed to Tasmania’s primary health network over 18 months and will also increase to $ 500,000, as the Tasmanian government announced on Friday.

“We know that not only will support be needed in the next few weeks, it will be necessary for many, many, many months to try to begin that healing process,” said Mr. Morrison.

Grace Johnston, who raises money for Zane Mellor’s mother, described Zane on Friday as a beautiful, caring and gentle soul who continued to perform despite her challenges with autism and ADHD.

She said she would help his mother Georgie Gardam as she would not be able to work after the tragedy.

“Georgie is the most amazing mother, she never gave up and was by his side every step of the way encouraging, loving and fighting for him,” Ms Johnston said on the GoFundMe page.

Five children died after the wind lifted bouncy castle in the air at a school in Tasmania. Credit: GRANTS CHILDREN/AAPIMAGE

Peter Dodt’s aunt Tamara Scott also set up a fundraising site describing her nephew as full of life and adventure, while Addison Stewart’s aunt Meg Aherne said she tried to help her niece’s family pay for a funeral and other bills.

“They have another daughter and son to take care of and I hope to be able to relieve some of the stress of bills,” she said.

“Everyone is crushed, she was always such a sweet kind, old soul – We all love you Paddi Melon.”

One of the fundraising sites, published by Devonport local Zoe Smith, had raised just under $ 1 million late on Friday, with the money to go to Hillcrest Primary and its parent-friend committee to distribute.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to investigate whether the inflatable castle was properly tethered.

In response to suggestions, families have not been kept informed of the investigation, and Prime Minister Peter Gutwein called for patience.

“I can definitely understand their frustrations, but a proper study of this is needed,” he said.

“WorkSafe is cooperating with the Tasmanian police and we have to let it go.”

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