Tasmanian Inquest Begins into 2021 Hillcrest School Jumping Castle Disaster

A coroner’s inquest opened in Devonport to investigate the December 2021 Hillcrest Primary School tragedy that claimed six pupils and left several others seriously injured after a sudden gust of wind lifted a jumping castle and other inflatables. The hearing will probe possible shortcomings in the Department of Education’s preparations, national safety standards, weather forecasting, and the risk assessments carried out by the inflatable provider one outlet-Zorb.

Although Rosemary Gamble, one outlet-Zorb’s owner, was found not guilty of workplace health and safety breaches in June 2025, the coroner is free to draw different findings. Testimony this week includes Georgie Burt, mother of victim Zane Mellor, Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar, a senior ambulance official, a health service representative and forensic pathologists. Representatives from East Inflatables and the coroner’s office are also expected to appear, with additional sessions scheduled for later in 2026 and early 2027. The families have also launched a class-action lawsuit against the state and one outlet-Zorb seeking compensation.