Tasmania jumping castle tragedy: How it could have happened
Tasmania’s town of Devonport is reeling from the shocking deaths of five children in a school jumping castle tragedy. This is what we know.
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Tasmania’s town of Devonport is still reeling from a shocking event where a jumping castle blew 10m into the air before it came crashing down, and five children were killed.
This is what we know so far, how it could have happened and what will happen next.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JUMPING CASTLE?
Five children died and four of their school friends were critically injured after a horror jumping castle accident in Devonport, Tasmania.
The kids, who were grade five and six students, were celebrating a “Big Day In” event to mark the end of the school year at Hillcrest Primary School.
The tragedy occurred about 10am on Thursday when the castle and inflatable Zorb balls were suddenly lifted about 10m into the air by a freak gust of wind.
WHAT HAVE POLICE CONFIRMED?
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said police understand there were about 40 year 5 and 6 students taking part in the end-of-term events at the time the castle lifted into the air.
Tasmanian Commander Debbie Williams also confirmed the castle had blown 10m into the air, before the children were thrown to the ground.
“This is a very tragic event and our thoughts are with the families and the wider school community, and also our first responders,” she said.
“There is no doubt that this has been a very confronting and distressing scene.
“Counselling is being made available to the families affected by this in the school community along with the first responders.”
HOW MANY FATALITIES ARE THERE?
Police confirmed late yesterday two boys and two girls had lost their lives.
A fifth child, who was confirmed to be a boy, has also died in hospital.
Three children remain in hospital in a critical condition on Friday, with one now recovering at home after being discharged.
A police and WorkSafe investigation is under way.
WHO THE VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED?
Hillcrest Primary School students Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, and Peter Dodt, 12, all died in the tragedy.
Peter Dodt’s devastated aunt described the loved young boy as “full of life and adventures”.
Tamara Scott paid tribute to her nephew in a GoFundMe made to support his devoted single dad, Andrew, navigate the devastating time ahead.
“My brother, Andrew, lost his son Peter due to an incident at school in Devonport, Tasmania,” she wrote.
“Peter was a young 12-year-old boy who was full of life and adventures.”
Ms Scott told the Daily Mail that her brother was “beyond shattered” and that he had broken down while collecting his son’s school bag on Friday.
“He went to the school this morning to collect his school bag – he felt he had to do that, and he just cuddled it and cried,” Ms Scott told the publication.
“Zane was such a beautiful, caring, gentle soul who had challenges growing up with his autism and ADHD but that never set him back he kept achieving,” a public GoFundMe page reads.
WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE TRAGEDY?
Tasmanian police described a “significant local wind event” that contributed to Devonport’s tragic jumping castle tragedy.
The day changed dramatically and quickly with wind speeds going from about 7km/h to as high as 17km/h when the tragedy unfolded at Hillcrest Primary School.
Those winds continued to pick up speed, peaking with gusts of more than 30km/h.
At roughly 10am yesterday when the incident occurred, the wind in Devonport swung from south to northwest, bringing with it far gustier conditions and wind speeds – more than double that of before.
WAS THE CASTLE TIED TO THE GROUND?
Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine was asked multiple times by the media if the jumping castle was tied to the ground.
“Was the jumping castle tethered at all?” one reporter asked.
Commissioner Hine said: “That forms part of the investigation”.
“It is fair to say that those injured were inside the castle. We need to piece the movements of the individuals together so we can present a full picture to the coroner,” he added.
WHERE WERE THE ZORB BALLS?
Police Commissioner Darren Hine was unable to confirm their location or impact on the tragedy but said: “That will form part of the investigation”.
“But my understanding is that the zorb balls were outside. But it will form part of the investigation,” he said, before being asked by yet another journalist whether all the victims were inside the castle at the same time.
“Again, that forms part of the investigation.”
WHAT DID EYEWITNESSES SEE?
A young schoolboy who witnessed the horrific incident said he narrowly missed out on getting on the ride.
“It was our turn next,” he told The Mercury.
“Grade five and six went first.”
Parents were reportedly forced to wait anxiously at the school gates with no information on whether their children had been injured.
One mum wrote on Facebook she had arrived at the school at about 11.30am but she and other parents were not allowed in.
“I’m here now they won’t let us in, it was (child’s name) grade but no one knows who was hurt yet,” she wrote. “I have a friend with children there and he hasn’t heard anything yet,” said another.
Other parents were angry that details of the traumatic event emerged in media reports before parents had been informed.
“Shame it was spread all over the media before the school had time to contact parents. Thinking of all involved,” one said in a Facebook comment.
“That would have been hard to see if you were a parent,” another said.
A mum whose child attends a different school drove to Hillcrest to support a friend, but arrived to what she recalled a “horrific” scene.
“I went there because a friend was upset trying to figure out if their kids were OK before she got there and it was just horrific,” she wrote in a comment. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the terrible tragedy was “just shattering”.
“It is just unthinkably heartbreaking. Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such a horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart,” he said.
“And I just want to say, on behalf of all Australians – to the parents and families and friends, all who were there, to the other young children there and witnessing these events, I just pray you‘ll have great family around you and great friends and you can come through this horrific tragedy.”
HOW HAS THE MAYOR, COMMUNITY REACTED?
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff spoke about the tragedy on Sunrise and The Project.
“It has been a dreadful time for so many of us, but for some, so much unbelievably more than others,” she told Sunrise.
“I don’t need to tell my community, I know they will take care of each other. But I urge everyone to take care of themselves, keep an eye out.”
Ms Rockliff also noted the dozens of first responders were traumatised by the incident.
“To be honest I think we are all still in shock,” Cr Rockliff said.
“We’re certainly trying to take care of each other but I think we’re all still struggling to get our heads around it.
“I did meet all of those children last week, I was in their classroom for about an hour or so-so it’s pretty tough to think about that.”
WHAT HAVE THE PM AND PREMIER SAID?
Scott Morrison spoke to Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein and promised to provide whatever support was necessary.
Mr Morrison said the events were “shattering”.
“The events that occurred today in Devonport in Tasmania are just shattering. They are just unthinkably heartbreaking,” he said.
“Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart.”
“I’ve been made aware of an incident at Hillcrest Primary School involving a jumping castle which got away in high winds,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I understand there are serious injuries involved.
“As further information comes to hand we will provide it, but as this involves a primary school my thoughts are with the people involved and the parents.”
Mr Gutwein said the tragedy was “beyond comprehension”.
He said authorities were considering flying in specialist counsellors to help.
“It is devastating, heartbreaking. It’s just simply incomprehensible,” he said.
“What should have been a celebration for the end of the school year turned into an unfortunate tragedy for our young children at Hillcrest Primary.”
WHAT HAS SENATOR JACQUI LAMBIE SAID?
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, who grew up in the town, said the tragedy was “unthinkable” and “beyond imaginable”.
“It is just … just horrific, you know. A week before Christmas-time,” she told Today.
“Imagine those kids having those Christmas presents under the tree … it is just bloody awful.”
The independent senator broke down as she spoke about the horrific incident.
WHAT LOCAL FUNDRAISERS ARE ONGOING?
Tasmanian local Zoe Smith launched a GoFundMe in a bid to help those affected by the tragedy which has now raised more than $464,000.
“We are all in shock as to what has happened and how this could affect such a small community like Devonport,” she said.
“I am so of the Devonport community and how we have rallied together to support these families through such a horrible time.
“I set it up as a way of wanting to do something and I knew other people could too so although it is just money and it cannot replace what these families have lost it can help them get through this a little bit better and every dollar counts, really.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine said the investigation would take some time to complete, and it would be referred to the coroner for an inquest.
If you need support, please call:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
Originally published as Tasmania jumping castle tragedy: How it could have happened
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