Momentos left at the scene of Thursday's freak wall collapse which claimed the lives of Bridget and Alexander Jones. Main picture: Andrew Brownbill Source: Herald Sun
A WOMAN who held the hand of a teenager critically injured in a freak city wall collapse, begging her to "hang in there", is devastated the girl has died.
Bridget Jones, 18, became the third victim of last week's tragedy, losing her fight for life three days after her brother, Alexander, was killed.
Brielle Chapman confirmed that in his last moments, a heroic Alexander had tried to save his sister.
"It all happened so quickly," she said.
"Alex yelled out 'watch out' and shielded his sister - and then the whole wall just collapsed, and they were gone."
Ms Chapman, 27, fought back tears as she told of the next "horrific" minutes as she and her four sisters dug through the rubble in a desperate bid to find the pair.
Friends leave flowers for Bridget Jones after hearing of her death. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
"Nothing could prepare us for what we were going to find," she said.
"(Alex) had taken the full extent of the collapse. Bridget was underneath him.
"We knew Alex had already gone. I grabbed Bridget's hand and I was saying to her 'Hang in there. You'll be OK'.
"She wasn't conscious, but I know she knew I was there, as she clung to my hand."
Ms Chapman was on holiday from NSW with sisters Bianca, 24, Olivia, 21, Jessica, 20, and Shayla, 15.
Eighteen-year-old Bridget Jones has died, becoming the third person killed by a Melbourne wall collapse.
"We were following not even a metre behind them. It could've been us," she said.
"It's a complete tragedy."
Tributes flowed for the siblings - both arts students from Melbourne University - as it emerged that Bridget had succumbed to severe head injuries in Royal Melbourne Hospital at 6.30am.
Devastated parents Ian and Sue Jones, both 57, from Montmorency, released a statement about their "kind-hearted and respectful" children.
"We were so very proud of both of our children," the couple said.
Friends of Alexander and Bridget Jones chalked tributes on the footpath and left flowers and momentos at a makeshift shrine on Swanston St. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
"They were always kind-hearted and respectful. They had a wide network of friends and yet were both very close to each other."
Mr and Mrs Jones said Alexander had been planning to study law and aspired to go into politics.
Bridget had been considering a teaching career.
"They loved sport - particularly tennis, which they played since they were five - and all different genres of music," the grief-stricken parents said.
They said Alexander and Bridget were keen Blues supporters who had been on their way to meet their father for the first Carlton game of the season.
Bridget and Alexander with parents Ian and Susan.
Friends gathered at the scene of the tragedy at the former CUB brewery in Swanston St for the second consecutive day, chalking tributes to their lost mates on the footpath.
Fresh flowers, pictures and other mementos, including a Carlton teddy bear, were left at a makeshift shrine.
Friend Maddie inscribed in a card: "Two amazing people have been taken from us far too soon. You were both going to change the world! You are both going to be missed more than ever."
Monika Vulevu Cushe posted on a Facebook tribute page: "R.I.P Bridget Jones - heaven has a new angel, together with your loving brother."
Others described the pair as "inseparable".
Friends of Alexander and Bridget Jones and the unnamed woman who died in the Carlton wall collapse pay their respects at the site. Picture: Chris Scott
Another woman killed in the wall collapse remains unidentified.
Police said they were awaiting formal identification of the victim, believed to be a Mount Waverley woman aged in her 30s.
Royal Melbourne Hospital intensive care specialist Dr Thomas Rechnitzer has expressed "heartfelt sympathy" to the Jones family.
"Despite every effort by multiple teams of dedicated doctors and nurses, who did all they could for Bridget over the past three days, Bridget has died as a result of severe head injuries," he said.
The University of Melbourne said it would offer to hold a memorial service for the family.
"The University of Melbourne community is deeply saddened and distressed at the tragic events of last Thursday," it posted on Facebook.
"Our thoughts are with the Jones family and friends. We will continue to offer Alexander and Bridget's friends, and those affected by the accident, counselling and all other necessary support."
Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine also sent his condolences.
"This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family," he said.
"This incident will be fully investigated by the coroner and other relevant authorities."
WorkSafe, the State Coroner, Victoria Police and Grocon, which owns the site, have all launched investigations.
Touchingly, a neighbour saw Bridget kiss her mother goodbye the day before the tragic event: "Sue and Ian were just totally devoted to their children. Not so long ago Ian was here speaking for an hour about how well they were both doing at uni - he was so proud of them."
Alexander, who was nicknamed Zander by his friends, had aspirations to become prime minister of Australia.
One friend called Alexander, known as "Prime Minister Giggles", "a prince among men".
Montmorency Secondary College principal Allan Robinson said of the former school captain: "He was an incredible young man, thoroughly respected and admired by every student and every member of staff at Montmorency Secondary College."
Many said they would miss the arts student's cheeky grin and "that laugh".
"I can't describe my pain in words," a friend, Riley, wrote in a tribute.
"You were our light and glue that held us together."
Gillian Goldsworthy wrote on a Facebook tribute page: "Absolutely devastated to hear that Bridget lost her fight for life. Words cannot express my sadness at Ian and Sue's loss. Our thoughts are with you."
Monika Vulevu Cushe posted: "R.I.P Bridget Jones - heaven has a new angel. Together with your loving brother."
Friend Eric Goon called Alex an "amazing man". "He and Bridget were really close. It was typical Zander to be walking her to class."
Former teacher George Ghobrial said the "gifted" student was destined for great things.
"I taught him science and he was just perfect. He did very well academically; but not only that, he was a wonderful person with lots of friends.
"I taught Bridget the year after and she was the same - a lovely person.
"It is so sad."
rebekah.cavanagh@news.com.au
- with James Dowling, Jon Kaila
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