Hillcrest jumping castle operator accused of not using enough pegs to anchor inflatable in court documents

Despite having enough pegs, the operator of the jumping castle at the centre of the Hillcrest tragedy has been alleged to have not secured all the anchor points.

Mourners pay tribute to the children who died after gust of wind swept away a jumping castle at Hillcrest Primary School Devonport Tasmania. Picture: Jason Edwards

It is alleged that the operators of the inflatable jumping castle at the centre of the Hillcrest tragedy did not fully peg it down.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) alleges in a complaint that only four of the eight anchorage points were pegged down by the owner of the jumping castle Rosemary Gamble, who ran a company called Tas-Zorb.

The document, seen by The Mercury, also alleges that the pegs were not installed at the recommended 45-degree angle.

In December 2021, six children died, and three others were injured at Hillcrest Primary School during an end-of-year celebration.

In the document, the DPP outlined the circumstances of the children’s death.

Hillcrest Primary School, Tasmania jumping castle incident. Photo: Helen Kempton

“At approximately 10am on December 16, 2021, seven students were on the inflatable jumping castle when a significant weather event occurred which lifted the inflatable jumping castle, causing it to become dislodged from the anchorage points and to become airborne,” it said.

“Students fell from the inflatable jumping castle and suffered serious injury and death.

“Further, the blower [for the jumping castle] was lifted from its position and hit a student in the vicinity of the jumping castle.”

The DPP said the failure by Ms Gamble to peg the jumping castle down properly “was the hazard giving rise to the risk” of serious injuries and death.

“The defendant failed, so far as reasonably practicable, to ensure the health and safety of the other persons was not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business and undertaking.”

The document alleges that Ms Gamble failed to use the recommended amount of pegs, have them at a 45-degree angle per the manufacturer’s instructions, and use a continuous wind monitoring anemometer.

“The defendant had a sufficient number of pegs available to her to use at each of the anchorage points,” the DPP said.

“A suitable alternative to the retention pegs, in the form of star pickets, were available on-site for use.”

Ms Gamble is set to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on February 2 for plea.