On December 16, 2021, a tragic event occurred at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania, leading to the loss of six young lives during an end-of-year celebration involving a jumping castle. The day started innocently as primary school students, including 12-year-old Zane Mellor, excitedly prepared for festivities, unaware that their lives would change forever.
Zane’s mother, Georgie Burt, vividly recalls the moment he left for school, noting his vibrant spirit. Amidst the celebrations, strong winds unexpectedly lifted the jumping castle, carrying it 62 metres across the school oval. In the aftermath, parents frantically searched for their children, with Georgie enduring the harrowing wait until she learned that Zane had sadly passed away on-site.
The tragedy claimed six young lives: Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Jye Sheehan, Chace Harrison, and Addison Stewart. As families grieved, Rosemary Gamble, who managed the jumping castle, faced charges for failing to comply with workplace safety regulations. Evidence revealed that while the inflatable had eight anchorage points, only four pegs were utilised to secure it. This oversight was deemed unacceptable by grieving parents who felt that had all eight been used, the outcome may have been different.
Witness accounts detailed the chaotic moments leading up to the incident. Beau Medcraft, who suffered severe injuries, recalled the moment the jumping castle was swept away. As the community grappled with its collective grief and the guilt of families whose children survived, a class-action lawsuit emerged seeking justice and accountability. Maurice Blackburn lawyer Dimi Ioannou represents multiple families, pursuing damages for trauma and suffering while arguing that such tragedies should not go unanswered.
Despite the court’s decision to dismiss charges against Gamble, families remain unconvinced. They believe that more should have been done to ensure their children’s safety. Evidence presented included claims that the jumping castle had been adequately secured on previous occasions and that various pegs were easily accessible. The Magistrate concluded that the freak wind event, termed a ‘dust devil,’ could have negated the effectiveness of any anchorage system.
Amidst the legal proceedings, the families express a desire for meaningful change, hoping their loss can spearhead improvements in safety standards for children’s events. Sadly, the ripple effects of that fateful day will linger in the hearts of the community forever. Tasmania’s Department for Education has extended condolences but has refrained from commenting further due to ongoing legal processes, leaving families yearning for closure and accountability in light of their devastating loss.