Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Hillcrest School jumping castle operator pleads not guilty to health and safety charge

Hillcrest School jumping castle operator pleads not guilty to health and safety charge
February 2, 2024

Rosemary Gamble, the jumping castle operator charged with workplace safety breaches over the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy of December 2021 in which six children died has pleaded not guilty to health and safety charge in Court today.

In the Devonport Magistrates Court, Gamble, who traded as Taz-Zorb, this morning entered a plea of not guilty to a failure to comply with health and safety duty.

Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Peter Dodt were killed after the inflatable castle being operated by Taz-Zorb was lifted into the air during the pre-Christmas school event in 2021.

She was granted bail and is expected to next appear in Court in March.

At that next session, Gamble's lawyer will indicate whether expert evidence will be pursued, and if they have any witness issues.

Magistrate Duncan Fairley said he was mindful that "significant" time had passed since the school tragedy, and that he is eager for the trial to commence soon.

It is alleged the castle was tethered at only four of its eight anchorage points, that pegs were not installed at the recommended 45-degree angle and pegs recommended by the manufacturer, or a suitable alternative, weren't used.

According to court documents, seven students were on the inflatable device when a 'significant' weather event occurred, causing it to become dislodged and airborne.

They fell from the device, while a blower attached to the castle to keep it inflated struck a nearby student.

It is also claimed that workers did not receive the necessary information, training, instruction and supervision to properly set up the device, with the total of these actions having exposed the children to "a risk of serious injury or death".

A profanity was yelled at Gamble from the parent one of the deceased as she exited the Court building.

Image: A jumping castle understood to be similar to the one at the centre of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy. Credit: Taz-Zorb website.

Related Articles

22nd December 2023 - Court document alleges jumping castle operator in Tasmanian school tragedy failed to secure all anchor points

17th November 2023 - Charges laid over Tasmanian inflatable castle tragedy that killed six children

10th October 2023 - Further delay to Hillcrest jumping castle inquest as Coroner still denied access to WorkSafe report

19th May 2023 - Court sentences man behind arson attacks on rival Melbourne jumping castle operators to 11-year jail term

22nd February 2023 - Inquest into Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle deaths cannot commence as WorkSafe refuses to release findings to coroner

19th October 2022 - Tragedy of Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle deaths acknowledged by Tasmanian Coroner

4th February 2022 - AALARA sets up Safe Operation of Inflatables Sub Committee

11th January 2022 - Royal Life Saving issues reminder on waterborne inflatable safety

30th December 2021 - Workplace Health and Safety Queensland issues reminder on key safety controls for landborne inflatables

20th December 2021 - Sixth child dies as a result of Tasmanian jumping castle tragedy as operator shuts down website

17th December 2021 - Tasmanian authorities introduce schools jumping castle ban

17th December 2021 - Insurer Sportscover surprised by Small Business Ombudsman’s support for attractions mutual fund

16th December 2021 - Five children dead after inflatable jumping castle blown into air at Tasmanian school

18th November 2021 - Risk management the key to way out of attractions industry’s insurance crisis

20th October 2021 - Ombudsman’s insurance crisis report says ‘the show must go on’

26th August 2021 - ASTM International Standard for inflatable attractions to be adopted into 2024 International Fire Code

2nd August 2021 - AALARA works through solution to insurance market challenges

4th February 2020 - WorkSafe Queensland prosecution results in $50,000 fine following inflatable amusement ride injury

25th October 2019 - Children fall 8 metres to the ground after winds lift inflatable slide into the air in Western Sydney

16th January 2019 - New solution to fix tears on inflatable play equipment

13th July 2017 - Royal Adelaide Show ride owners fined $157,000 over child’s death, but unlikely to pay up

30th June 2015 - Appeal of jumping pillow decision falls flat

29th October 2014 - Uncertainty surrounds future of inflatable play standard


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE

A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

GEOFF NINNES FONG AND PARTNERS

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Design / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business