It's like seeing a part of your childhood die. I grew up in a basketball family and grew to actually like him while when I was younger I had to hate him because my brother loved him, lol.
Many experience it as you get older (actors dying, etc.). It's just that it happened so soon/in such a manner that is so shocking and the idea of the kids dying along with them.
Imagine potentially knowing that you can do nothing to help them and you are going to both probably die.