Public inquest to be held into jumping castle tragedy that killed six children

A public inquest will be held into the jumping castle tragedy that killed six kids in Tasmania as a “matter of priority”, six months on from the incident.

A coroner has provided an update on the investigations into the Tasmanian jumping castle tragedy that killed six children, with a public inquest to be held as soon as possible.

Six children in years five and six were killed on December 16, 2021, when a sudden gust of wind picked up a jumping castle at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania.

The school was holding a “Big Day In” celebration to mark the last day of the 2021 school year when the jumping castle and inflatable Zorb balls were picked up by a weather event, with nine children falling from a height of 10 metres.

Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt and Chace Harrison died as a result of the incident.

An inquest into the tragedy is being conducted by coroner Olivia McTaggart, with evidence still being gathered six months on.

Chace Harrison, Jye Sheehan and Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones.

Peter Dodt, Zane Mellor and Addison Stewart.

Hearing dates are yet to be set but priority to be given to a jointly held public inquest.

“Experienced officers of Tasmania Police and WorkSafe Tasmania have been assisting the coroner in compiling evidence in the investigation, including many witness affidavits, since the date of the event,” read a statement from the coronial division of Tasmania’s Magistrates Court.

“A very large amount of investigative work has taken place already, with the coroner co-ordinating the investigation and holding regular meetings with members of the investigation teams.”

Coroner McTaggart has also recently been given evidence from the investigation conducted by Tasmania Police.

She is also set to receive evidence from the WorkSafe investigation which is looking into the involved business, equipment and set up.

Expert witnesses are also likely to be called, such as engineering or science experts and meteorological experts to speak to the weather conditions on the day.

“It is hoped that all evidence, including all necessary expert opinion, will be received within coming months,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, it is very difficult to provide precise time frames for completion of the investigation.”

Scene at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport. Picture: Rob Burnett

A young girl takes a moment after laying flowers outside Hillcrest Primary School. Picture: Jason Edwards

In the wake of the tragedy, Tasmanian police revealed a “significant local wind event” contributed to the horrific incident.

What started as a calm day changed dramatically 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 during the afternoon, peaking with gusts of more than 30km/h.

At roughly 10am on the day of the incident, the wind in Devonport swung from south to northwest, bringing with it far gustier conditions and wind speeds – more than double that of before.

The tragedy prompted the Tasmanian Education Department to ban the use of jumping castles at all state schools.

“Following the tragic incident at Hillcrest Primary school yesterday the decision has been made to place a ban on the use of all jumping castles and inflatable amusement equipment on all [Department] sites,” Senior work health and safety adviser Mark Lobban said at the time.

“This extends to cover all external hirers of [Department] sites.

“The ban will remain in place until further notice.”