“What should have been a day full of fun and celebration for the last day of the school year has ended in an unimaginable way.”
A candlelight vigil was held in the Australian town where five children died as a result of a freak bouncy castle accident.
The bouncy castle, which had been at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania, was reportedly lifted almost 33 feet into the air by a gust of wind.
Five children, three boys and two girls aged 11-12, died as a result of the fall, leaving the school and wider community shocked.
A number of other children were also seriously injured, with three in critical condition.
A candlelight vigil was held outside the school in tribute to the victims, with those in attendance placing flowers and some residents in the surrounding area turning off their Christmas lights as a mark of respect.
Devonport mayor Annette Rockliff said the Australian flag would be flown at half-mast over the town hall in recognition of the “utterly devastating” tragedy.
“As mayor my heart aches for my community. As a mother and a grandmother, I am rocked to the core,” she said.
“What should have been a day full of fun and celebration for the last day of the school year has ended in an unimaginable way.”
Tasmania premier Peter Gutwein added that the incident was “utterly devastating and heartbreaking”.
