Legal
Jumping castle operator learns fate over tragedy that killed six children
The Tasmanian business owner who faced workplace safety charges linked to the 2021 jumping castle tragedy that killed six children at Hillcrest Primary School has had her verdict delivered by Devonport Magistrates Court.

The operator of a jumping castle involved in the 2021 Hillcrest Primary School tragedy that claimed the lives of six children has been cleared of breaching workplace safety laws.
Rosemary Gamble, the owner of Taz-Zorb, was found not guilty of failing to comply with a health and safety duty after a 10-day hearing in Devonport Magistrates Court. The decision was delivered on Friday Jnue 6 by Magistrate Robert Webster, who said: "I found the charge is not proven. It is dismissed. Ms Gamble, you are free to go."
The case centred on the horrific incident of December 2021, when a gust of wind lifted the inflatable castle into the air during end-of-year celebrations on the school oval. Six children – Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Peter Dodt – were killed, while three others were seriously injured.
Prosecutors had argued Gamble failed to secure the castle properly, allegedly using only four pegs to anchor it, despite manufacturer guidelines recommending eight. However, her defence counsel, Chris Dockray, told the court that Gamble had been misled by the Chinese manufacturer, East Inflatables, which neither provided adequate instructions nor included more than four pegs with the product.
Gamble had downloaded a two-page manual from the company’s website, which the court heard may have led to the misunderstanding about anchoring requirements.
Court documents revealed that seven students were on the castle when a sudden weather event dislodged it, flinging the children from the structure. A separate student was reportedly struck by the blower used to keep the castle inflated.
The full court decision is expected to be published online in the coming days.
Preparations for a coronial inquest have been on hold pending the outcome of the criminal case. A class action has also been launched by families against both Gamble and the state of Tasmania.
Image: Supplied