Bouncy Castle Operator Acquitted in Fatal 2021 Incident

Following a court ruling, the families of victims express their heartache and ongoing grief from the accident.

An Australian court has cleared Rosemary Anne Gamble, the operator of Taz-Zorb, of any wrongdoing in the 2021 tragedy where six children died after a bouncy castle was lifted off the ground by strong winds during a primary school event in Devonport, Tasmania. The court ruled that the fatal incident, which also left three others injured, was caused by an "unprecedented weather system" that could not have been anticipated.

On December 2021, during a school fair at Hillcrest Primary School, the bouncy castle was unexpectedly lifted approximately 10 meters (33 feet) into the air due to a powerful dust devil, a swirling vortex of air and debris. Tragically, five of the children who perished were on the inflatable while waiting in line for their turn was another victim who was struck by the blower.

Magistrate Robert Webster upheld Gamble’s defense, stating that while she could have potentially taken additional precautions, any measures would not have altered the tragic outcome caused by the unforeseen weather conditions.

The verdict was met with despair from the families of the victims. Andrew Dodt, father to one of the deceased, expressed his dismay, saying their hope for accountability was shattered along with the ongoing pain of their loss. His statement highlighted his longing for an apology, noting the impossibility of ever receiving one.

Gamble’s defense attorney expressed sympathy towards the families, acknowledging the deep emotional scars left by this incident. “I can only imagine the pain that other parents are living with each and every day because of this terrible thing that happened,” she stated on behalf of Gamble.

This tragic event has left a profound mark on the tight-knit community of Devonport, which has struggled to cope with the loss of six young lives.