Australia - 6 children die, several injured, jumping castle blown in air, Tasmania,16 Dec 2021

[iamshadow21]

Anguish for mum of Hillcrest jumping castle victim as legal tussle over inquest delays 'justice'

 

[iamshadow21]

Hillcrest jumping castle operator charged over 2021 tragedy where six children died

A Tasmanian company is charged in relation to the Hillcrest jumping castle tragedy in 2021, in which six children died after a castle became airborne, with families of the children welcoming the news and thanking those who helped at the scene.

www.abc.net.au

"The DPP has charged Taz-Zorb, the operator of the jumping castle, with a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012," work health and safety regulator Robyn Pearce said in a statement.

"This offence alleges that the operator failed to comply with a health and safety duty in a way that exposed the children to a risk of death or serious injury."

The decision to lay charges came after a "significant investigation" by staff at WorkSafe Tasmania over many months, she said.

 

[iamshadow21]

How did a jumping castle lift off and kill six children? Court document reveals allegations against operator

An inflatable jumping castle that claimed the lives of six Tasmanian primary school children after becoming airborne in 2021 was only secured at half its anchor points, a court document alleges.

www.abc.net.au

And there it is. The operator didn't follow the safety instructions. And children died because of it.

 

[IceIce9]

How did a jumping castle lift off and kill six children? Court document reveals allegations against operator

An inflatable jumping castle that claimed the lives of six Tasmanian primary school children after becoming airborne in 2021 was only secured at half its anchor points, a court document alleges.

www.abc.net.au

And there it is. The operator didn't follow the safety instructions. And children died because of it.

From your linked article:

The DPP claims the manufacturer's instructions, which could be downloaded, clearly stated all anchorage points were needed, and there were illustrations detailing how to insert pegs into the ground.

It also alleges enough pegs were available on the day.

 

[iamshadow21]

A Tasmanian mother whose son died in the Hillcrest tragedy is pushing for industrial manslaughter laws

Zane Mellor was one of six children who died at Tasmania's Hillcrest Primary School in December 2021 after a jumping castle became airborne. His mother is questioning why it's taking the Tasmanian government so long to act on industrial manslaughter laws.

www.abc.net.au

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/tas/2024/02/02/jumping-castle-operator-court-hillcrest

Not guilty plea over Hillcrest jumping castle deaths​

 

[investikater]

Jumping castle operator pleads not guilty over tragic deaths

A mother of one of six children killed in a primary school jumping castle tragedy has lashed out at a company operator accused of workplace safety breaches.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[investikater]

I hope this was an unpreventable accident, and I hope everyone involved can find some relief and peace

But the fact that charges have been laid means I assume something wrong is there though? Or would charges be pressed regardless in such a case?

 

[iamshadow21]

I hope this was an unpreventable accident, and I hope everyone involved can find some relief and peace

But the fact that charges have been laid means I assume something wrong is there though? Or would charges be pressed regardless in such a case?

If you look at the link I posted about half a dozen posts up, the operators did not follow instructions for safe use. It was preventable.

MOO

 

[investikater]

I saw that. The problem is proving that's what caused the problem. It's possible they could have followed the instructions and it still would have happened with this weather event. In that case they would have been covered. Which is why you always follow the instructions. However it doesn't mean necessarily that it was preventable.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Mother lashes out during jumping castle court hearing

A jumping castle operator charged over the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy in Tasmania during which six c...

www.9news.com.au

 

[investikater]

She seems to be the most vocal of the bereaved parents
Actually I haven't heard of any of the others speaking publicly
Are shenanigans like that a risk to the trial?

 

[iamshadow21]

Hillcrest jumping castle to be examined by experts as court tentatively sets trial for September

The castle's operator pleads not guilty to a failure to comply with health and safety duty, and is granted a request for a geotechnical engineer and an inflatables expert examine the castle and the school oval.

www.abc.net.au

 

[iamshadow21]

Families face further wait as Hillcrest tragedy criminal court case delayed

The criminal court case over the Tasmanian jumping castle tragedy, which claimed the lives of six children, has faced another delay over concerns over the inspection of the castle used that fateful day.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Tower]

I saw that. The problem is proving that's what caused the problem. It's possible they could have followed the instructions and it still would have happened with this weather event. In that case they would have been covered. Which is why you always follow the instructions. However it doesn't mean necessarily that it was preventable.

We have high winds at times and the companies who put these up will always check forecasts and tell you they won’t do it if gusts are above 20 mph (or whatever their written policy is).

I assume it depends on location whether winds are predictable, but in our area, it’s pretty easy to prevent this type of tragedy. They always err on the side of safety because the US is so litigious. Which at times can prevent tragedy.

I posted earlier on this thread about a situation where this happened here in my area, but the group purchased the bouncy house themselves, so it was not set up by a commercial company.

 

[investikater]

What is confusing to me is, if they really have done the wrong thing, why on earth have they not plead guilty and taken the probable sentencing discount?