Hire company Taz-Zorb Launceston goes to ground in wake of Tasmanian jumping castle tragedy
The hire company involved in Tasmania’s jumping castle tragedy, which killed five children, has gone into hiding as a major investigation ramps up.
Victoria
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A major investigation has been launched into Tasmania’s jumping castle accident that tragically killed five children as the owner of the hiring company involved went to ground.
Hillcrest Primary School students Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, and Peter Dodt, 12, died after they fell about 10m from a jumping castle after it was carried into the air by a gust of wind while celebrating the end of school on Thursday.
The children were taking part in end-of-year celebrations at the school about 10am when tragedy struck.
The blow-up jumping castle was supposed to be part of fun activities, along with zorb balls, and school groups were taking turns at the activities.
The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal the hire company, Taz-Zorb Launceston, who supplied the jumping castle and zorb balls at the school’s event, has removed its website and Facebook page Friday in the wake of the tragedy.
The company’s website featured photos of zorb balls and a crayon-themed jumping castle, promoting it as being “brand new to Tasmania”.
ASIC documents show the company, Taz-Zorb, was registered in 2012, with a renewal date of May 2024.
A woman, who answered the mobile number listed on the company’s website, told the Saturday Herald Sun “I’m sorry, I can’t answer any questions”.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine spoke on Friday morning after the tragedy.
“The investigation is ongoing and police are preparing a report for the coroner with the support of WorkSafe Tasmania,” Mr Hine said.
“I know this means you will have some questions that we are not able to answer as many details will be a matter for the coroner.”
He said it “would take some time” to interview everyone who was there and work out what happened.
“Sadly, there are a number of people and witnesses there that need to be interviewed, so it will take quite some time and will be guided by the coroner,” he said.
Mr Hine said police were liaising closely with the families of the children involved. “Tasmanians are already coming together to support each other at this very difficult time. The whole community and particularly the Devonport region is feeling this loss deeply.”
The Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Anna Forrest said at the time of the event there was a gust of wind recorded at the airport, but it was only 22km an hour – which would feel the same as starting your car and putting your hand out the window.
“It’s a fairly light wind,” she said.
In a statement, BOM said it was now working with investigators.
“The bureau will contribute information and analysis as part of those investigations,” the statement said.
Police Commander Debbie Williams also spoke to media from the scene at Hillcrest Primary School hours after the tragedy on Thursday.
“This is a very tragic event and our thoughts are with the families and wider school community and also our first responders.
“There is no doubt this has been a very confronting and distressing scene.
“Support and counselling is being made available to the families affected by this and the school community, along with the first responders.”
As part of the investigation, police said they would also be investigating how high the jumping castle flew and whether all the children injured were inside at the time.
The evidence will feed into a future coronial inquest into their deaths.
The coroner can take into account the police investigation, interview experts from all fields including those familiar with jumping castles.
It can also speak to witnesses to determine what exactly happened, if anyone is negligent and how it can be prevented in the future.
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