Redcliffe crash: Brisbane mother of children killed in tragedy speaks of grief

The devastated mother who lost her children in a plane crash in Brisbane has revealed she was about to wrap their Christmas presents when she realized something was wrong.

Catherine Di Blasio kissed Lucas Mocanu, nine, and his sister Lavinia, 10, goodbye on Sunday as they traveled to a surprise-joy flight in Redcliffe with their father Cris Mocanu on Sunday.

“I said goodbye to them that morning, gave them a kiss and said, ‘Have a nice day. I love you,'” she said.

Lucas turned back and said, ‘I love you too, Mom. Goodbye’.

Catherine Di Blasio kissed Lucas Mocanu, nine, and his sister Lavinia, 10, goodbye on Sunday. Credit: 7NEWS

“You never think it’s going to be the last time you see them.”

Mrs Di Blasio said she was wrapping presents when she realized the children were too late to get home.

Then there was a knock on the door.

“Instead of seeing my kids, I saw three detectives, and for about 15 minutes I had no reaction – I could not believe it,” Di Blasio said.

Mrs Di Blasio said she was wrapping presents when she realized the children were too late to get home. Credit: 7NEWS

Both children and their father were killed in the crash as well as pilot Robert Watterson, 67, for whom Mr Mocanu worked.

The plane was a surprise to celebrate Lucas’ birthday.

Di Blasio described the nine-year-old as “very caring, energetic and competitive” with a love of football.

She said Lavinia was the one who always made everyone laugh.

Both children and their father were killed in the crash as well as pilot Robert Watterson, 67, for whom Mr Mocanu worked. Credit: 7NEWS

A GoFundMe set up to support Ms. Di Blasio and help with funeral expenses has so far raised more than $ 41,000.

A separate fundraiser has been launched to support Mr Mocanus’ family, who are planning to travel from Canada to the funeral.

“The family is devastated to have to bear such a great loss,” wrote Mr Mocanu’s sister Eliza.

“Cristian was the remaining rock for my family after my father died when Cristian was only a teenager.

“Cris was an exemplary father, and his life was all about his family.”

Aerial footage taken Sunday showed the plane, registered to Mr. Watterson, upside down in the water.

Lavinia and Lucas. Credit: 7NEWS

Police confirmed that four people died in the crash and shared tragic details about the pilot’s family, who were waiting for the 67-year-old to return to the hangar.

“There were a number of family members of the pilot who were at Redcliff Air site at the time of the accident,” QLD police inspector Craig White told reporters.

Aerial footage taken Sunday showed the plane, registered to Mr. Watterson, upside down in the water. Credit: 7NEWS

“The family is deeply traumatized as one might expect.”

The Australian Transport Safety Agency is investigating the accident and found the plane on Monday.

The investigation is expected to last eight weeks.

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