Tasmanian castle jump tragedy ‘simply incomprehensible’ as salutes flow out for five children killed | Tasmania

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Tasmania’s Prime Minister Peter Gutwin said the Devonport tragedy was “unfathomable” as police begin to piece together the cause of Thursday’s tragic castle jumping accident that killed five children.

There was an outpouring of grief and support in the small port city Thursday night, he told reporters in Devonport on Friday.

“The tragedy of yesterday is unfathomable,” Gutwin said. “It is devastating, heartbreaking. It is simply incomprehensible.”

Five children – three boys and two girls – died of injuries sustained when the bouncy castle was lifted into the air by sudden gusts of wind. Several zorb balls, with children inside, also flew through the air. They were 11 and 12 years old.

Three children remain in critical condition, but police said one of them has been released and is recovering at home.

Witnesses told police that the children were lifted about 10 meters before they fell to the ground.

Gutwin said he’s been talking to community members and offering his support to the family. “As a parent,” he said, “I cannot understand how parents of those who have lost their children must feel.”

“But as a parent, I hope they understand that we all feel for you too. As the commissioner said yesterday, a full investigation is underway and a coroner has visited the scene. I commit to all families affected by this tragedy that we will stand with you and support you.”

Hillcrest Elementary School held a “Big Day In” celebration to mark the end of the school year, with a jumping castle and a number of inflatable zorb balls.

There were approximately 40 fifth and sixth graders participating in end-of-term activities when this incident occurred.

There were also many adults there when the inflatable equipment was lifted into the air and they gave the children first aid until emergency services arrived.

Nine children were seriously injured. “Five of these children have tragically died, three boys and two girls,” said Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Heine. One was 11 years old and four was 12 years old. Three of them remain in critical condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital. One of them is now recovering from home.”

When asked if he was chained to the floor, Hein said only that it would form part of the investigation.

They will also look at how high it is, whether all the injured children are inside the jumping castle, and where the high winds come from.

They are supporting people on the ground, said Department of Education Secretary Tim Pollard.

“At Hillcrest School today, we have a team of our professional support staff, including school psychologists, social workers and chaplains, and support for children and their families, and the Department of Health also helps access child and adolescent mental health services,” he said.

“Together we are working together to make sure those affected receive the care and assistance they need at this time.”

Annette Rockcliffe, mayor of Devonport, said the community was “in shock”.

“We are certainly still trying to understand how we might lose these children, and as we mentioned, we are a very interconnected community.

“Everyone knows someone, and we’re already seeing people who wrap their arms around each other and support each other and I know that will continue, but as a council we will definitely work with counseling services and social responders.”

“It was hard to put into words,” ABC reporter Monty Bofill, who arrived at the school just after the tragedy on Thursday, said via Twitter.

“At the height of the atrocity when I arrived, I left the camera. A parent came over and hugged me. She sat with me and said ‘we are human,'” he tweeted.

He said that parents were running to school to get their children.

Police officers were among the first at the scene. In the afternoon, Bofill photographed the couple collapsing to the ground, clutching each other.

Neighbor Bob Smith’s balcony overlooks the elementary school, and he said he walked out when the castle soared into the air. “Then I saw children on the floor,” he told the Mercury newspaper. “There was a strong gust of wind on a beautiful, calm day.

“At first we thought it might have been an emergency services training exercise, and then the reality of what was happening started.”

People gathered outside a Devonport elementary school Thursday night for a candlelight vigil and flowers and messages of sympathy were left near the gates.

Some residents turned off their Christmas lights as a sign of respect and businesses closed early.

“People who don’t have a connection to the school or any of the families have just come in crying and grieving the loss of children in something that was meant to be a celebration,” Fiona Morrison, a member of the local Unitarian Church, told Nine Network Friday. “They can’t believe what happened.

“Last night, people turned off their Christmas lights out of respect, or turned on their own Christmas lights to give other children some hope, some light, at this time when they are grieving.”

Tasmanian Senator Jackie Lambie, who went to school in Devonport, broke down on Channel Nine talking about the tragedy. Lampe said the incident was “unthinkable” and “unthinkable”.

“It’s just…just awful, you know. A week before Christmas,” she told TODAY.

“Imagine those kids carrying those Christmas presents under the tree… It’s just horrific bloody.”

Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker issued a statement Friday morning saying she has stood with the Devonport community and will provide it with everything she can.

“Our thoughts are with those affected. Immediate families, classmates, their parents, school staff, first responders and the entire Devonport community,” she said.

A coroner visited the scene on Thursday and police are investigating and collecting evidence, but Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hein said the investigation would take “some time”.

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