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Bouncy Castle Horror: Dust Devil Kills Six Children
4 Nov
Summary
- A dust devil swept six children to their deaths from a bouncy castle in 2021.
- The tragedy occurred on the last day of term at a Tasmanian school.
- An inquest is examining safety protocols surrounding bouncy castle incidents.
In December 2021, a sudden and violent dust devil caused a horrific tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania. Six children, aged 11 to 12, lost their lives when the inflatable bouncy castle they were playing on was lifted and thrown across the school oval. The "freak mini tornado" struck on the last day of term, turning a celebration into a disaster.
A teacher who witnessed the event described the wind escalating from calm to extreme speeds in mere moments. He recounted hearing a "whoosh" before seeing the bouncy castle disappear into the swirling dust. The teacher subsequently identified the bodies of several young victims, an experience that deeply affected him, leading to early retirement and mental health struggles.
An inquest into the deaths began in September, investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. This inquiry is scrutinizing the causes of death, existing safety protocols, and national standards for bouncy castles. Testimony from an employee of the company that supplied the bouncy castle revealed they allegedly received minimal training and instruction manuals were not readily available.
