Australia probes shocking bouncy castle accident that killed 5 children in Tasmania
- Three boys and two girls died after falling 10 metres to the ground when the wind lifted a bouncy castle into the air
- It was one of Australia’s deadliest accidents involving an amusement ride
Australian police on Friday said investigations were continuing into the deaths of five children after a bouncy castle was lifted into the air from strong winds at a school party, including if it was properly tied to the ground.
The school was holding a celebration to mark the end of the school year.
Three boys and one girl aged 12 years, and one girl aged 11, died in the accident which saw children fall 10 metres to the ground at a school in Devonport in the northwest of Tasmania state. Another three children remain in the hospital.
It was one of Australia’s deadliest accidents involving an amusement ride.
Images published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation showed police officers consoling each other as paramedics provided first aid to victims.
“The tragedy which occurred yesterday is beyond comprehension. It is devastating, heartbreaking. It is just simply incomprehensible,” Tasmania state Premier Peter Gutwein told reporters on Friday.
“I know this is a strong and caring community that will stand together and support one another,” he said.
Some 40 students were taking part in the celebrations when strong winds reportedly caused the jumping castle and several inflatable zorb balls to lift into the air.
Police said they would probe how high the jumping castle was lifted, whether all the injured children were inside it and the direction of the wind gust.
