The accident occurred in December 2021 at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania. A sudden gust of wind lifted a bouncy castle into the air during end-of-year celebrations, resulting in the deaths of six children and serious injuries to three others.
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The children who lost their lives were Addison Stewart, Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt, and Chace Harrison. They were between 11 and 12 years old. Five of them were on the bouncy castle when it became airborne, and one was struck by the inflatable’s blower while waiting in line.
Rosemary Gamble, owner of Taz-Zorb (bouncy castle company), which provided the bouncy castle, was charged in November 2023 with failing to comply with workplace health and safety duties. Prosecutors argued that she did not properly secure the inflatable. Gamble pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Robert Webster acquitted Gamble of the charges. He stated that the incident was caused by an “unprecedented weather system,” specifically a dust devil, which was impossible to predict. He noted that the outcome would likely have been the same even if Gamble had taken additional precautions.
The verdict left the victims’ families devastated. Some parents expressed their anguish in court, feeling that justice had not been served. Andrew Dodt, father of Peter Dodt, said, “Our hopes are just shattered now”.
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Gamble, through her lawyer, expressed deep sorrow for the incident. She acknowledged the lasting impact on the families and stated, “I never meant for something like this to happen, and I am just so sorry that it did”.
The tragedy resulted in a ban on the use of jumping castles in Tasmanian schools until further notice. A memorial service was held in December 2022 to honor the victims, and discussions about a permanent memorial are ongoing.
