A criminal case has commenced against the operator responsible for the tragic incident at Hillcrest Primary School, where six children lost their lives due to a jumping castle becoming airborne during a celebration in December 2021.
A criminal case has commenced against the operator responsible for the tragic incident at Hillcrest Primary School, where six children lost their lives due to a jumping castle becoming airborne during a celebration in December 2021.
A criminal hearing has begun against the operator of a jumping castle involved in the tragic incident at Hillcrest Primary School that resulted in the untimely death of six young children back in December 2021. The hearing is taking place in Devonport, Tasmania.
The victims of this heartbreaking event include Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Peter Dodt. The tragedy unfolded during an end-of-year celebration, when a sudden gust, described as a 'mini tornado,' lifted the jumping castle 20 meters into the sky, leading to an unimaginable outcome.
The court has revealed distressing testimonies from witnesses who saw children fall from the airborne structure. Crown prosecutor Madeleine Wilson SC recounted a teacher's panic as she lost sight of the jumping castle in the sky. One student, in a moment of horror, described watching her friends being carried away, highlighting the chaotic and terrifying nature of the event.
Despite clear weather on that day, a phenomenon often referred to as a 'dust devil' caused the inflatable bouncing castle and nearby zorb balls to become airborne. This occurred at approximately 10 am during the school's celebrations on December 16, 2021.
The operator, Rosemary Gamble, has pleaded not guilty to a charge related to failure in complying with health and safety regulations. Gamble, who owned the business that provided the inflatable attractions to Hillcrest Primary School, faces serious allegations regarding her oversight in securing safety measures.
In court, emotional scenes unfolded as witnesses listened to distressing evidence read aloud. A police officer recounted his rush to the scene, managing injured children as chaos consumed the area. He faced challenges in ensuring the arrival of multiple helicopters without disturbing crucial evidence at the scene of the accident.
As the hearing advanced, the court heard allegations that the jumping castle had been tethered at only four of the necessary eight points. Furthermore, claims surfaced suggesting the individuals responsible lacked training and adequate supervision necessary for setting up the inflatables safely, thereby exposing the children to significant risks.
The defence attorney contended that Gamble followed manufacturer guidelines while setting up the inflatables, asserting that the unexpected dust devil could not have been foreseen. This defense hinges on establishing what a reasonable person would have known under similar circumstances.
The case has captured public attention and prompted widespread mourning in the community. Families of the victims gathered outside the courtroom, expressing their grief and frustration, and advocating for reforms in safety regulations for events involving inflatables.
The hearing is set to continue for two weeks, focusing on detailed accounts that seek to avoid re-traumatizing witnesses, especially young students who experienced the shocking incident. This tragic event has raised vital questions about safety standards and the regulations governing such attractions in public events.
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