The first victims of an horrific bouncy castle accident in Australia have been identified after five pupils were killed and another three left in critical condition when the inflatable was thrown 30ft in the air by a freak gust of wind.
Zane, a pupil from Hillcrest Primary School on the island of Tasmania, was named by friends and family who praised him as a 'beautiful, caring, gentle soul' following his death during end-of-term celebrations ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Addison, also believed to be a pupil in Year 6, was also identified by family who described her as 'a sweet, kind, old soul' in online tributes.
They died alongside three of their classmates, thought to be aged between 10 and 12, when they fell from the bouncy castle on to the school sports field during a party around 10am on Thursday.
Three others of the same age are currently in hospital in critical condition, with a fifth 'seriously' hurt. It is understood to be only the second year that Hillcrest has hosted such an event.
Usually, the end of term is marked with a large picnic but that had to be changed last year due to Covid social distancing rules.
Instead of celebrating together as one group, the pupils were split into 'cohorts' which rotated through a range of activities.
The concept was so popular, that Hillcrest decided to repeat it this year.
Aside from the bouncy castle and zorbs - inflatable balls that people can climb inside - there was also a 'wet play' zone with sprinklers and an arts and crafts area.
The event had been underway for just half an hour when the tragedy struck.
Officers have so-far refused to give any details of how the accident unfolded, including whether the bouncy castle was properly anchored to the ground.
An investigation has been launched, and a coroner has also visited the site.
'On a day when these children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead we're all mourning their loss,' Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said.
'Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates, teachers of these young people who were taken too soon.'
Detectives are investigating how many children were on the jumping castle when the tragedy unfolded.
'It's an emotional day for everyone who is tragically impacted by today,' Commissioner Hine said.
'I've already seen pictures of police officers quite upset, as you'd expect. Any emergency services and teachers, everyone is affected in some way.'
A schoolboy who watched the horrific scene unfold revealed he was almost involved in the tragedy.
'It was our turn next,' he told The Mercury. 'Grade five and six went first.'
Bob Smith, who lives near the school, said he saw kids on the ground.
'There was one really strong gust of wind on what is a beautiful calm day,' he said.
'At first we thought it might have been an emergency services training exercise then the reality of what was happening kicked in.'
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein passed on his thoughts to the community.'My thoughts are obviously with the parents of the children that have been injured and with the emergency services,' he said.
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.'
Two rescue helicopters and multiple ambulances were sent to the scene.
The inflatable castle was part of a celebration to mark the last day of school, which also included zorb balls, a slippery slide and a wet play zone.
'A wind event caused a jumping castle to lift into the air,' police said in a statement.
'Several children fell from a height of about 10 metres about 10am.'
Residents have been told to avoid the area.
Images at the scene showed a wall of tarpaulin sheets set up as paramedics worked desperately to save those who had been injured.
Comm Williams said officers were called to 'a very confronting and distressing scene'.
The primary school said in a statement its grounds would be closed for the rest of the day.
'We ask that parents come to collect their children as a matter of urgency,' the statement read.
Premier Peter Gutwein addressed the incident at a Covid press conference on Thursday. He said it was understood 'there are serious injuries involved'.
'As further information comes to hand we will provide it, but as this involves a primary school my thoughts are with the people involved and the parents,' he said.
Ambulance Tasmania said it was responding to a 'major incident' and urged motorists in the state's north-west to give way to emergency vehicles.