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25th October 2023
09:32am BST
A four-year-old boy who tried to protect his siblings from a fire by using his body as a protective shied has died.
Isaac McGregor was playing in the garden shed at his Corio, Melbourne, home with sisters Mavis, six, and Ashlynn, 18 months, and his three-year-old brother Saige on Saturday when a couch caught fire.
The mum, 26-year-old, Jasmine Beck, raced outside and tried to move the couch and rescue her children. There she found Isaac trying to protect his brother and sister from the flames.
Saige and Ashlynn died at the scene.
Isaac and Mavis were raced to the Royal Children's Hospital in critical condition. They had suffered life-threatening burns to about 80 per cent of their bodies.
On Wednesday, on a GoFundMe page for the family, it was confirmed that Isaac "grew his wings and reunited with his baby brother and sister".
An update on the page reads: "He will always be remembered as the heroic young boy who gave his life trying to protect his siblings.
"We thank everyone so much from the bottom of our hearts for all the donations and support. This community is absolutely incredible."
As of Tuesday morning, almost $60,000 had been raised to help the family.
Isaac's death came hours after his dad, Kane McGregor told Australia media that he "couldn't be prouder" of his eldest son.
"She [Ms Beck] said once she finally got the couch moved and grabbed Mavis first, Isaac had the other two huddled under him so that they didn't burn, like he stayed there until he died himself," McGregor said Tuesday, adding that "I couldn't be any prouder of him really."
McGregor, who was on the brink of tears and was not home when the fire started, spoke in disbelief at his son's heroism: "What four-year-old huddles over their two little siblings?"
He told of his final moments with his son, before leaving home: "Isaac run up and gave me a cuddle and a kiss... an hour later I get the phone call… I haven't even dealt with it yet, I'm just here with the other two."
Victoria Police said on Monday afternoon detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad were investigating the incident, but they are not treating it as suspicious.
Police Inspector Emma Bartel said on Sunday that neighbours of the family had tried to rescue the children before emergency services arrived.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The GoFundMe page for the family can be found here.
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