Australian Bouncy Castle Operator Cleared Over Tragic Accident That Killed Six Children

SYDNEY, 6 June 2025 (BSS/AFP) – An Australian woman who operated a bouncy castle that was lifted into the air by a freak weather event—resulting in the deaths of six schoolchildren—has been found not guilty of breaching workplace health and safety laws.

The Tragic Incident

The accident occurred in December 2021, when a sudden gust of wind swept through a primary school end-of-year celebration in Devonport, northern Tasmania.

A strong vertical wind, later identified as a “dust devil”, lifted the inflatable structure approximately 10 metres (33 feet) into the air, while children were playing inside.

The horrific event shocked the nation and prompted a legal investigation into the operator’s compliance with safety standards.

The Legal Proceedings

Rosemary Gamble, owner of the party equipment hire company Taz-Zorb, was charged with failing to comply with a workplace health and safety duty.

She pleaded not guilty. On Friday, the Devonport Magistrates Court dismissed the charges against her.

Court’s Ruling

Magistrate Robert Webster concluded that the incident was caused by an “unprecedented weather system”, specifically a dust devil, which could not have been reasonably anticipated.

“Gamble could have done more or taken further steps. However, given the effects of the unforeseen and unforeseeable dust devil, had she done so, that would sadly have made no difference to the ultimate outcome,” Webster said in his ruling.

“In those circumstances, I find the charge is not proved. It is therefore dismissed.”

Response from Gamble

In a heartfelt statement delivered to Australia’s national broadcaster ABC, Rosemary Gamble expressed her sorrow:

“I accept how deeply and tragically this incident impacted so many people and families. I realise those scars will remain for an extremely long time, likely forever.”

“There are no words to describe how I have felt ever since that tragic incident took so much away from so many people and left nothing but heartbreak and emptiness in its place.”

“I never meant for something like this to happen. And I am just so sorry that it did.”

Grief of the Bereaved Families

Andrew Dodt, the father of one of the deceased children, also shared his ongoing grief in a statement to ABC:

“I’ve been broken for a long time. And I think I’m going to be broken for a lot more.”

The case has reignited discussions in Australia around event safety regulation, weather preparedness, and the limits of liability in extreme natural events. While the court has cleared Gamble of legal wrongdoing, the emotional aftermath for the families, the community, and all those involved remains profound.