At least five children have died and four sent to hospital after a wind gust knocked an inflatable bouncy castle and several zorb balls into the air at the Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Australia on Thursday.
According to eyewitness reports to police, the jumping castle rose about 10 metres, pulling kids with it. Zorb balls (inflatable balls that people can stand inside) were also thrust into the air. ABC News reported that children fell from the castle, some onto the sports oval and others off a hilly slope.
Several helicopters were sent to take the children to hospital, but four were believed to have already died. The fifth victim died later. All of the victims were from grades 5 and 6.
The incident took place on the last day of school, which was marked by a “Big Day In” event. The activities scheduled included a “Wet Play Zone; Slippery slide, water and sprinkler play”.
While police said the incident was a “wind event”, ABC news says local weather bureau monitoring sites did not record extraordinary winds. A coroner’s investigation is now underway.
It is unsure if any regulations were violated. In the United Kingdom, for example, bouncy castles may not be installed if wind conditions exceed 38kmph.
Safe Work Australia's guidelines warn that jumping castles can become airborne due to strong gusts of wind. It recommends that such devices be secured and anchored.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted his condolences. “My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today. My prayers are with the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event.”
Bouncy castle incidents have been reported inthe past: In 2019, two children were killed and 20 injured after a dust devil tore the inflatable from the ground in China’s Yucheng county. In 2018, a girl died in the UK are a bouncy castle reportedly exploded.
