Investigation into Hillcrest tragedy progressing

A date has been set for authorities to run through the events of a tragic day in Tasmania’s history where six young lives were lost in a freak jumping castle accident.

THE investigation into the death of six Hillcrest Primary School students who were playing on a bouncy castle on the school oval is progressing.

But it is yet to be decided if any criminal charges will be laid in relation to the tragic events on December 16 last year.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart is investigating the death of the children and a case management conference is scheduled for later this month.

Memorial site at Hillcrest Primary School. Picture: Brodie Weeding/pool

“The coroner has received a large volume of evidence arising from the work undertaken by Tasmania Police in its investigation of the event. That material includes witness affidavits, forensic reports and video and photographic material,” Ms McTaggart said on Monday.

“The coroner has engaged a weather expert to provide an opinion regarding the weather conditions on the day of the event at Hillcrest Primary School. That expert’s final report is expected shortly.”

The case management conference will be held at the Devonport Magistrates Court on October 18 at 11am.

Funeral for Hillcrest Primary School student Addison Stewart at Mersey Gardens Chapel, mother Kylie Stewart.

WorkSafe Tasmania is also investigating the tragic event under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

It focuses on the events of the day, as well as all the circumstances that contributed to the incident.

Once complete, the investigation file will be presented to the Work Health and Safety Regulator and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide whether criminal charges should be laid for potential breaches of the Act.

WorkSafe Executive Director, and Work Health and Safety Regulator, Robyn Pearce and Ms McTaggart said they recognised the public interest surrounding this incident.

“We want to reassure families and the community that WorkSafe Tasmania is doing everything we can to expedite the processes, while ensuring we maintain the integrity of what is a complex and wide-reaching investigation” Ms Pearce said.

The coroner will address all parties in attendance at the conference about the intended course of the investigation and the state of progress toward the holding of a public inquest.

Originally published as Investigation into Hillcrest tragedy progressing