A wounded survivor of the Tasmanian Jumping Castle tragedy has been put on a pizza in the hospital after being discharged from intensive care – as his uncle described how the boy ‘put on one hell of a fight’.
Declaine Brown is now one of two children who moved out of the ICU at the Royal Hobart Hospital after being involved in an accident at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport last week.
The disaster, which occurred when a gust of wind lifted it 10 meters into the air, has claimed the lives of six school children.
Declan Brown was one of two children who were taken out of the intensive care unit on Thursday after being injured in an accident at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania last week.
His uncle David Best uploaded the photo online, saying that his nephew has bravely recovered from his injuries.
The photo showed a scar on Declan’s head, which had been partially shaved.
Mr Best wrote in a Facebook post: “He has put up a fight and is now awake and there is a long road ahead.”
Well done man and enjoy that requested pizza. so proud of you. Stay strong and see you soon.
‘My heart still breaks for the families who lost their loved ones.’
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwin confirmed on Thursday that Declan and another child injured in the tragedy were in stable condition.
Brave youngster – partially shaved head and tubes to match, managed to smile at the hospital even after waking up from his coma at the Royal Hobart Hospital
“I am sure all Tasmanians will join me in sending their thoughts and best wishes to their families at this time, undoubtedly in very difficult circumstances,” he said.
‘But it is pleasant and I know we are all very grateful that he is out of the ICU and in much better shape.’
The good news came on the same day that the first funeral was held for one of the six victims.
12-year-old Zane Melor was laid to rest at a service in Devonport on Thursday.
Two boys, who were seriously injured in the Devonport Jumping Castle tragedy, have been taken out of the intensive care unit. Zane Melor (pictured) was cremated on Thursday
The other children killed in the crash were Peter Dodt, 12, Addison Stewart, 11, Jay Sheehan, 12, Jalalaiah Jayne-Marie Jones, 12, and Chase Harrison, 11.
A week after the tragedy, hundreds of friends and relatives piled into the local parish Mercy Garden Chapel to say goodbye to Zane.
Mourners were told how the young boy was fond of animals and gambling, and was referred to as ‘Jurassic Zen’ on his online network.
His coffin was decorated with Playstation controllers and hung a poster of his favorite game, Red Dead Redemption II.
Pictured from left to right is Jane Mailer, 12, Peter Dodt, 12, Addison Stewart, 11, Jay Sheehan, 12 Jalalaiah Jayne-Marie Jones, 12, and Chase Harrison, 11, who police have identified with permission from the family. Children tragically died in a jumping castle accident at a primary school in West Tasmania
His devastated mother, Georgi Gardum, tears up reading tributes to her first-born, standing beside her little blue coffin decorated with white-painted gaming controllers.
‘My baby, where do I start,’ she began.
‘I had you when I was very young, only 15, and now I know why. You grew up with me, you held my hand.. You were always the man of my house, my protector, my strength, my gamer.’
‘I’ve spoiled you rotten – Hawaiian pizza, McDonald’s … some of your favourites. Everyone told me to get away from that PlayStation but I let you play until your heart is satisfied and your eyes fall asleep.
‘I love you Jane. Whatever the weather, we are together. I love you Zani.’
A heartwarming slideshow of photographs collected during the 12 years of Zane’s life was played during the service, showing him fishing, gaming, riding a quad bike, and lovingly hugging his younger siblings. images were shown.
Hours before the memorial, Ms Gardem wrote a terrifying post on social media describing how she struggled to find strength as she prepared to say a final goodbye to her son.
Emergency services workers are pictured at the scene during the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School on December 16
“Today will be one of the hardest days of my life,” she wrote.
‘What should I weigh… the day I lost you or the day I comforted you. I’m not sure.’
Zen’s farewell came a day after loved ones said goodbye to Jala’ilah Zen-Mari at a service at the local Parish Church of Christ.
Jay Sheehan’s small wooden coffin was decorated with bright flowers and his beloved soccer ball, as mourners piled into the chapel, with The Script’s Hall of Fame playing in the background.
Meanwhile, Jay Sheehan’s funeral was held on Friday – to celebrate his life with his friends and family.
Jay’s good friend Beau Medcraft, who survived the tragedy with minor injuries, also wrote a short tribute that was read out in service.
“You were my gaming wingman, we spent all our free time playing Fortnite,” Beau recalled.
Zane Melor’s heartbroken mom Georgie pays tribute to her firstborn and ‘savior’. She is photographed at a memorial outside Hillcrest Primary School last week
‘Sometimes I would stop you while I had tea and forget you were there… I used to go to the shops with mom, but you were always waiting for me when I came back.’
A very important loved one – Jay’s father Glenn – was unable to attend service after waking from a coma to learn that he is permanently disabled after an accident last month.
He lives and wakes up in an intensive care unit at Hobart Hospital, 280 km to the south of the state. The heartbreaking news is the death of their little boy.
Another classmate, Beau Medcraft, who miraculously escaped death, visited the scene for the first time on Monday to pay respects to his teammates.
Keeping both hands in the cast and his shoulder in a sling, Beau placed four Xbox controllers among a sea of flowers and cards left behind by families and members of the local community.
Distraught police officers at the scene of the Jumping Castle tragedy in Devonport, Tasmania (pictured)
Then he broke down as he hugged his parents, who hugged the young boy in tribute.
More than one million dollars has been raised through GoFundMe to be distributed among the families of dead and injured children.
The federal government has also pledged $800,000 for counseling and mental health support to help those affected by the tragedy.
Tasmania police are still investigating what caused the devastation and will prepare a brief for the coroner.
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