Judgment looms after kids killed in Hillcrest jumping castle tragedy
Families of six children killed when a jumping castle installed at their school was lifted into the air in a freak wind gust will today learn if the ride operator will be held responsible for their years-long nightmare.
On December 16, 2021, children at Hillcrest Primary School, in Devonport, Tasmania were celebrating the end of the school year.
The school had hired a jumping castle and zorb-balls from a company called Taz-zorb.
As they played on the equipment, a freak gust of wind, described as a 'mini tornado', hit the school's oval.
The jumping castle and zorb-balls flew into the air, with some witness reports saying they travelled as high as 10 metres.
Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Peter Dodt tragically lost their lives.
The sole operator of Taz-zorb, Rosemary Gamble, has pleaded not guilty to a failure to comply with health and safety duty.
A crowd of those impacted by the tragedy is expected to gather at the Devonport Magistrates Court on Friday as judgment on the case is handed down after a lengthy hearing and protracted investigations.
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