Sisters, 12 and 14, crushed to death after brick pillar supporting their hammock collapses on top of them

TWO young sisters tragically died after a brick pillar their hammock was tied to collapsed and fell on them.

Scout Scaravilli, 14, and Chasey Scaravilli, 12, were at their home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on Sunday night when the fatal accident occurred.

The girls were both lying in a hammock tied between a tree and a brick pillar when the pillar suddenly collapsed onto them, becoming buried beneath the rubble.

Police and firefighters were called to their home to free them from the debris and the two girls were immediately taken to hospital.

Unfortunately, several hours later the girls died in hospital from their injuries.

The girls' father said that his entire family are "hurting."

In an interview with WKYC, he said: "They were beautiful people. They were beautiful souls. I'm gonna miss them terribly.

"My children are going to miss them. My wife's gonna miss them. They are in everybody's hearts. They had a lot of support here tonight.

"That's the only reason I came, I needed that support from the community and I got it. I'm so appreciative."

Scout, a ninth-grader and Chasey, a seventh-grader, were students at Cleveland's The Hathaway Brown School, who released a statement about their tragic passing.

"The entire HB community is saddened by the loss of the Scaravilli sisters; they will be greatly missed by so many friends, classmates, and teachers," Hathaway Brown Head of School Fran Bisselle said in the statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are dedicated to their family." 

Chasey was known at her school for her artistic abilities and her sense of humor, while the 14-year-old Scout was a devoted big sister and athlete.

The school's Director of Middle School, Sharon Baker, told that, "You couldn't be around them without smiling or laughing.

"They brought such joy into every room they entered."

Police are investigating the incident, which is being called a "freak accident."

The sisters leave behind their parents and two younger sisters.