School mourns nine-year-old girl after freak accident

A Queensland primary school is offering students counseling after a student died by being struck by an umbrella.

Nine-year-old Karrisa McDonald was with friends at a Bundaberg swimming pool on Thursday last week.

She was eating pizza when an umbrella was picked up by a strong gust of wind and hit her on the side of her head.

The year four student was taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital and then flown to the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane where she died from her injuries early on Friday morning.

Workplace Health and Safety officers are investigating the incident while police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Education Queensland North Coast regional director Greg Peach told Bundaberg’s NewsMail that the focus was now to be her family and on the wellbeing of staff and students at Bundaberg East State School.

"This is an absolute tragedy and the school's thoughts and prayers are with the family at this terrible time," he said.
Bundaberg mayor Mal Forman said staff had faced a tough time at the pool due to the number of people attending the function.

"From my understanding, the pool had been at capacity on Thursday with around 360 bathers in the water," Mr Forman told ABC Radio.

"I believe the young girl who was unfortunately killed was sharing a pizza on the lawns with some schoolmates."

It’s believed the umbrella was tied down but was picked up by a strong gust of wind.