No dates set for inquest into jumping castle deaths of Hillcrest Primary School students

A Tasmanian coroner says she will investigate the six jumping castle deaths at Hillcrest Primary School in a joint public inquest, noting that a large amount of investigative work has been done.

A “very large” amount of investigative work has been undertaken in preparation for a public inquiry into the jumping castle deaths of six children at Hillcrest Primary School, a Tasmanian coroner says.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart is holding an inquest into the tragedy and will probe the six deaths jointly. Hearing dates are yet to be finalised, with the coroner saying “priority” would be given to scheduling them “as soon as reasonably possible”.

On December 16 last year, children at Hillcrest were celebrating the last day of school, playing on a jumping castle and inflatable balls when a gust of wind threw them into the air and resulted in the children falling from a height of about 10 metres.

Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt and Chace Harrison died following the incident, while three children survived after being hospitalised.

Hillcrest Memorial

“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,” a statement from the coronial division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania read on Thursday.

“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 recently been given evidence from Tasmania Police’s investigation into the incident.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart.

“The coroner will also subsequently receive the evidence in the WorkSafe investigation concerning the involved business, equipment and set up,” the statement read.

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

“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.”

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