Family and friends from across the country have gathered to farewell Tasmanian Jumping castle tragedy victim Peter Dodt as loved ones pay tribute to their ‘incredible, little hero’.
The 12-year-old died along with five of his classmates after falling 10 metres from a jumping castle blown into the air by a freak gust of wind during end-of-year celebrations at Devonport’s Hillcrest Primary School on December 16.
Hundreds of friends and relatives gathered at Mersey Gardens Chapel at 1.30pm on Wednesday to say goodbye to the Year 6 student who one day dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
Mourners were told of how the vibrant young boy loved camping with his family and was always a helping hand to his siblings and elders.
‘He was a young man full of life. He was always up to no good, but he always had big dreams,’ cousin John said.
‘Peter was always our little hero – he was always there to lend a helping hand.’
Despite his injuries, John said the caring young boy also did his best to try and help the other victims in the moments after the tragedy.
‘He was also a hero at the scene,’ he said.
‘He did his best to help the other children.’
Tasmanian Jumping castle tragedy victim Peter Dodt (pictured) has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners on Wednesday
Family members chose a colourful Roblox casket for the young boy and decorated the chapel with green helium-filled balloons.
Gaye Kelly, Ms Dodt’s teacher, paid tribute to Peter as astute and organised student who was always keen to help his teachers and fellow students.
She said she will always remember his ‘cheeky grin’ and ‘fierce loyalty’ to his family and friends.
‘He wanted to learn, he was a sponge. He took great pride in his work,’ she said, fighting back tears.
Ms Kelly said he was also a master negotiator who could convince educators to give him extra time on his iPad.
She said he was very proud as he stood on stage during a graduation ceremony at the school’s Big Day In – just hours before his life was tragically cut short.
She said she will never forget Peter gifting her a bottle of wine and telling her she was the ‘best teacher’.
‘Peter, you were a firecracker,’ she said.
‘You will forever live on in our hearts.’
Mourners were slideshow of pictures of Peter’s life as he rode his bike, played with his siblings and enjoyed camping trips and holidays with his family, as the songs ‘Two Again’ by Christian Burrows’ then Sarah McLachlan’s Angel played in the background.
The young boy who dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut was farewelled in a Roblox coffin, as green helium-filled balloons lined the front of the room
The clip finished with a video highlighting the youngster’s cheeky sense of humour.
Looking at the camera, Peter said: ‘if I die and god tells me “you are stuck here for eternity with me”, I will say to him “no – you are stuck here in eternity with me!”‘
The eulogist finished the service by reading a poem from Andrew’s father, which described how the family would be one day be reunited with the beloved little boy in the next life.
Grieving loved ones comforted each other as they slowly trickled out of the chapel, Wiz Khalifa’s song ‘when I see you again’ playing for the last procession.
Peter’s mother, Miranda McLaughlin, previously told the Adelaide Advertiser people would travel from many parts of Australia for the funeral.
‘He was the most beautiful person in the world,’ she said earlier this month.
‘He was full of life. He made everyone smile and his heart was so generous.’
Ms McLaughlin had been blocked from seeing her son for a year due to Covid-19 border closures but was able to spend five final days with him before his death.
When restrictions finally eased in December, the mother-of-nine told Daily Mail Australia that she and her toddler Dylan jumped on a plane from South Australia to Devonport.
Peter Dodt is pictured with his mother, Miranda McLaughlin. She pair were reunited just days before the tragedy
Ms McLaughlin was grateful she spent those last few days with ‘our little ginger ninja’ before the devastating accident, and remembered him as a happy boy with a big heart.
‘Peter was full of life, always making people smile with his antics. His heart was bigger than the world,’ she said.
‘Words cannot explain what a beautiful soul he was or the loss we feel without him, forever in our hearts.’
Peter’s father Andrew Dodt had full custody of his three children.
The coroner is investigating the circumstances around the accident and will receive reports from Tasmania Police and WorkSafe Tasmania.
More than $1.4 million has been raised for the families via an online fundraising page, while the federal government has committed $800,000 to counselling and support for the region.
‘I’m sad we couldn’t be friends and I’m sad you all had to go so early,’ one hand-written note left outside the school read.
‘I hope you have a happy spot in heaven.’
Two boys badly injured in the accident were moved out of intensive care last week after their condition improved from critical to stable.
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