MH17 Tragedy: 'They Were Beautiful Kids'

Siblings Mo, Evie, and Otis Maslin were among the 37 Australian residents lost in the MH 17 tragedy, along with their grandfather, Nick Norris. Photo: AP

The Perth community of the parents who lost their three children in the downing of MH17 has rallied to help the grieving couple.

Rin Norris and Anthony Maslin lost Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8 when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine on July 17. Rin's father, Nick Norris, had been accompanying the children on the flight, which would have taken the schoolkids home from a European family holiday in time for the beginning of the third term.

"They were beautiful kids," friend Bec Bucci, 38, tells WHO. "And the family are lovely people, very kind and generous, always willing to help others. Now so many people want to help them." Including Bucci, who has set up a website to help the family and has already raised more than $10,000.

"Long after the story of this tragedy is out of the public eye, Rin and Anthony will still have to live with this loss," says Bucci. "And they'll need our support as time goes by."

The Maslin children. Photo: ABC

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After departing Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, MH17 was brought down 10km (33,000ft) over Ukrainian territory controlled by pro-Russian rebels, "almost certainly by a missile launched by Russian-backed rebels; most likely by a missile supplied by Russia," said Prime Minister Tony Abbott. All 298 passengers and crew on board were killed, including 37 Australian citizens and residents.

Among them were a family of five who lived in Melbourne: Dutchman Johannes van den Hence, his Malaysian-born wife, Shaliza Zain Dewa, and their children, Piers, 15, Marnix, 12, and Margaux, 8. "They were very well-respected, they were always here to help," Steve Fuller, the president of the Melton Phoenix Football Club where Piers played soccer, tells WHO. "They were great people."

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