Hillcrest Primary School pre-inquest conference starts in Devonport Magistrates Court

There have been heartbreaking scenes in a Tasmanian courtroom as families hugged and cried ahead of the pending inquest into their children’s deaths.

THE families of six children killed in a jumping castle and zorb ball tragedy at a Devonport school last year have been told an inquest into what happened that fateful day will not go ahead for at least another six months.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart told the families who attended an inquest management conference in the Devonport Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday the proceeding marked the start of an intense inquest preparation process.

She also warned families they would hear some confronting evidence at the upcoming inquest.

“It is not easy to determine time wise but please be assured I intend to give this really important inquest as much attention and the priority it deserves,” Coroner McTaggart told the court.

“Over the next four to six weeks I hope the Coroner’s Office will be in a position to provide disclosure to counsel and families including expert evidence reports.”

Another case management conference is expected to be held in four to six weeks.

There were emotional scenes both inside and outside the court as families hugged and cried as children’s names and the injuries they died from were outlined.

Georgie Gardam mother of Zane Mellor enters the Devonport Magistrates Court. Tuesday October 18th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

Six children ultimately died from the injuries they sustained when they were thrown from an airborne jumping castle which lifted 10m into the air on December 16 last year.

The Grade 5 and 6 students were taking their turn on the jumping castle and zorb balls on the Hillcrest Primary School oval as part of school break-up celebrations when what has been called a “mini tornado” lifted the inflatable apparatuses high into the air.

Tributes at Hillcrest Primary School. Picture: Jason Edwards

Five of the seven children who died were on the jumping castle — which the court heard was tethered to the inflator on the oval.

Another little girl, Addison Stewart, who was nearby was struck to the head by a flying object.

Three zorb balls were also sent into the air. The children in those balls all survived but were badly injured.

Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Chace Harrison were killed.

The five children killed in the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy.

Thirty-nine students were on the oval at 10am when a wind event, described in court as “powerful and concentrated” struck out of the blue.

Teachers and three representatives of Taz-Zorb, which provided the play equipment, were also on hand.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart expressed her sympathy to the parents present and said she recognised the impact the event had had on the wider community including the three children injured in the incident who survived.

She said it was important to hold an inquest — a transparent and independent investigation — into the events and warned the families of the late children they would hear some confronting things.

“A great deal of work has been undertaken over the past few months to organise experts to give evidence,” Ms McTaggart said.