'He was our hero, our rock': Essendon pilot's family speak through grief
The family of the pilot killed in Tuesday’s Essendon plane tragedy has paid tribute to their “hero” and “inspiration”.
Max Quartermain was at the controls of the plane that crashed into a Melbourne shopping centre, killing himself and four American passengers.
On Friday Max’s daughter Melissa spoke publicly for the first time, describing the family’s loss.
Melissa Quartermain. Picture: Victoria Police
Pilot Max Quartermain was killed in the crash. Picture: 7 News
"To us, he was our hero, our inspiration and our rock, " she said in a video statement.
"We'll miss his generosity, his energy and his passion for his work - and above all his unconditional love as a husband, a dad and a papa."
Ms Quartermain acknowledged the pain everyone affected by the tragedy has experienced since the charter flight exploded in a fireball moments after taking off from Essendon airport en route to King Island on Tuesday.
“Our hearts go out to all, especially to the families of the people who died in this tragedy,” Ms Quartermain said.
She said the support the family had received was a tremendous comfort.
The five Essendon crash victims. Picture: 7 News
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Her video was released by police on behalf of the family, just hours after several hundred people gathered to leave flowers at the Direct Factory Outlet where the plane crashed.
Stephen Mifsud was working in a shop across the road when he saw the light blacken, heard the explosion and saw a shock wave go through the building.
The explosion was witnessed by motorists. Picture: 7 News
"Within seconds I started yelling 'Plane down, plane down!'" Mr Mifsud said as he laid flowers at the scene on Friday.
"I saw two fire fronts and I didn't know which one to tackle.
"I just want to give them (the victims' families) comfort that if there had been an opportunity (to save those on the plane) I was there, ready to go."
Michael Georgiou was one of the first paramedics on scene.
"We knew there was a light plane that had crashed into the DFO complex building, we knew there were people on board that were deceased but we didn't know how many" Mr Georgiou told AAP.
"It was very fortunate no-one inside the building was injured"
US Consulate general Frankie Reed was also at the memorial set up at the DFO for people to pay respects to the victims this weekend.
She expressed appreciation for the outpouring of messages for the four American citizens, former FBI agent Greg Reynolds De Haven, Russell Munsch, John Washburn and Glenn Garland, who died.
"The messages mean a lot," Ms Reed told reporters.
The fiery crash scene. Picture: 7 News
The DFO centre management, Vicinity Centres, decided to open the area for tributes while still keeping the shopping centre closed for trade.
"Out of respect for those who lost their lives and their families, we have made the decision not to reopen the centre until Monday morning," chief executive Angus McNaughton said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says examination of the accident site is likely to be completed on Friday.
The damage to the Essendon DFO. Picture: 7 News
Some of the wreckage, including the engines and propellers, has been taken to Essendon Airport for detailed examination, the ATSB says.
Investigators will review CCTV footage from around the crash site.
During the next week, they will process about 100 witness statements.
