Jumping castle operator in court over Hillcrest tragedy
A jumping castle operator who was charged over the 2021 Hillcrest Primary School tragedy is expected to face court for the first time.
Six children, Peter Dodt, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart and Chace Harrison, were killed when the inflatable castle was lifted into the air on December 2021.
The students were enjoying the end-of-year celebrations with their classmates on the oval of the school in Devonport in Tasmania's northwest, when the tragic incident occurred.
Rosemary Anne Gamble, the operator who worked for Taz-Zorb - the company who supplied and set up the castle - was charged in November after failing to comply with workplace health and safety requirements.
It is alleged that the castle was tethered at four of its eight anchorage points and the pegs recommended by the manufacturer, or a suitable alternative, weren't installed properly.
According to court documents, seven students were on the castle when it became dislodged and airborne due to a "significant" weather event, causing them to fall from a height of about 10 metres.
A few others were reportedly injured, with one nearby student being struck by the blower attached to the castle.
It is alleged that Gamble failed to ensure the anchorage system was sufficient to prevent the castle from lifting, and failed to ensure there were pegs at each anchor point as per the manufacturer's instructions.
It is also alleged that Gamble failed to provide adequate information, including manufacturer's operating manual to the two workers she was in charge of at the time.
She is expected to face the Devonport Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday.
Preparations for the coronial inquest was put on hold because of the criminal charges.
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