On June 6, 2025, a Tasmanian court acquitted Rosemary Anne Gamble, operator of Taz-Zorb, in the 2021 Hillcrest Primary School bouncy castle tragedy that killed six children and injured three. The Devonport Magistrates Court ruled the incident, which saw a bouncy castle lift 10m (33ft) into the air, was caused by an “unforeseeable dust devil,” clearing Gamble of breaching safety laws. Here’s a detailed look at the case.
The Tragedy and Verdict
On December 16, 2021, during end-of-year celebrations at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania, a sudden gust lifted a bouncy castle, killing Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Peter Dodt, aged 11-12. Three others were seriously injured. Five children fell from the castle, and one was struck by the inflatable blower. Prosecutors alleged Gamble failed to secure the castle at all eight anchor points, using only four non-standard pegs. Magistrate Robert Webster ruled that even with eight pegs, the “unprecedented weather system” would have caused the same outcome, finding Gamble not guilty.
Families’ Anguish and Response
The verdict devastated families. Georgie Burt, mother of Zane Mellor, yelled in court, “I hope you see them every time I miss a birthday,” per The Guardian. Andrew Dodt, father of Peter, said “All I wanted was an apology for my son not coming home.” Families, via a statement read by Burt, expressed “deep disappointment” in the justice system, feeling it failed to reflect their loss
Defense and Gamble’s Statement
Gamble’s lawyer, Chris Dockray, argued she relied on a vague two-page manual from the Chinese manufacturer, East Inflatable, which supplied only four pegs, leading her to believe this was sufficient. Gamble, through lawyer Bethan Frake, expressed profound sorrow: “As a mother, I can only imagine the pain other parents live with every day. Their loss is something I will carry forever.”
Why It Matters
The tragedy, which shook Devonport’s 30,000 residents, led to a ban on bouncy castles in Tasmanian schools and ongoing discussions for a permanent memorial. A coronial inquest and a class action against Gamble and the state of Tasmania, led by Burt and Dodt, are pending. X posts, like @AAPNewswire’s, reflect public shock at the verdict, with many questioning safety standards. The case highlights the unpredictability of weather and gaps in inflatable safety regulations.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1YaFDgDvKk
