An Australian operator of a bouncy castle, involved in a 2021 tragedy that resulted in the deaths of six children and serious injuries to three, has been exonerated from any violation of safety laws. The court determined that Rosemary Anne Gamble, who runs the business Taz-Zorb, was not responsible for the incident, attributing it to an exceptionally rare and unpredictable weather event.
The incident occurred during a primary school fun day in Devonport, Tasmania, when a sudden gust of wind lifted the bouncy castle, causing the children to fall approximately 10 meters. The conclusion of the trial caused distress among the families of the victims, who reacted with disbelief and tears, as reported by ABC News.
The prosecution had accused Ms. Gamble of insufficiently anchoring the bouncy castle, but her defense argued that she had taken all necessary precautions against any foreseeable risks. Magistrate Robert Webster sided with the defense, ruling that the event, characterized as a dust devil, an unforeseen and unpredictable upward spiral of air and debris, was to blame.
The six victims, aged between 11 and 12, were participating in a school fair at Hillcrest Primary School on the last day of term before the December 2021 holidays. Five of the children were on the castle when the high winds carried it away. The sixth child, waiting in line, died after being struck by the inflatable blower.
This tragic event deeply affected Devonport, a city on Tasmania’s north coast with a population of around 30,000. Ms. Gamble was charged nearly two years after the incident, in November 2023. Andrew Dodt, the father of one of the victims, Peter, expressed his disappointment with the verdict, stating that he sought an apology for his son’s death but now feels that his hopes are shattered.
Ms. Gamble’s lawyer, Bethan Frake, acknowledged the enduring impact of the incident, expressing her understanding of the deep pain and sorrow experienced by the families. As a mother herself, she emphasized her ability to empathize with the other parents’ grief and her commitment to carrying the memory of the victims with her for the rest of her life.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gr5kn5d7go
