The families of victims express their grief and dismay following the court's determination that the incident was caused by an unpredictable weather phenomenon rather than operator negligence.
**Bouncy Castle Operator Acquitted in Heartbreaking 2021 Accident Claiming Six Young Lives**
**Bouncy Castle Operator Acquitted in Heartbreaking 2021 Accident Claiming Six Young Lives**
A court ruling has left families devastated as the operator of a tragic bouncy castle accident that resulted in the loss of six children is found not guilty of safety violations.
In a case that has left the community of Devonport, Tasmania in deep sorrow, bouncy castle operator Rosemary Anne Gamble has been acquitted of breaching safety laws connected to a tragic incident in December 2021, in which six children lost their lives and three sustained serious injuries. The ruling by a court on Friday concluded that the catastrophe was attributable to an unprecedented weather event, specifically a dust devil—an unexpected gust of wind that lifted the inflatable castle about 10 meters into the air during a school fair at Hillcrest Primary School.
The court found that while Ms. Gamble could have taken further precautions, the unforeseen nature of the dust devil meant that any additional measures would not have changed the tragic outcome. The magistrate, Robert Webster, noted that even if Ms. Gamble had secured the bouncy castle more rigorously, it likely would not have mitigated the impact of this natural phenomenon. The heart-wrenching incident resulted in the death of children aged between 11 and 12, and it shattered the small community of about 30,000 people.
Families have been vocal about their anguish following the verdict, with some expressing feelings of disbelief in court. Andrew Dodt, father of one of the victims, Peter, conveyed his overwhelming sorrow, stating, “Our hopes are just shattered now,” and lamented the lack of closure, highlighting the void left by his son’s absence and the unfulfilled desire for an apology.
Ms. Gamble, who faced charges nearly two years post-incident in November 2023, has remained in a state of distress as well. Her legal representative, Bethan Frake, stated that Ms. Gamble empathizes deeply with the affected families, emphasizing that the scars from such a tragedy would endure permanently. In recognizing the weight of the loss, Mrs. Frake remarked on behalf of her client, “I can only imagine the pain that other parents are living with each and every day because of this terrible thing that happened.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the impact on the lives involved remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of weather events.
The court found that while Ms. Gamble could have taken further precautions, the unforeseen nature of the dust devil meant that any additional measures would not have changed the tragic outcome. The magistrate, Robert Webster, noted that even if Ms. Gamble had secured the bouncy castle more rigorously, it likely would not have mitigated the impact of this natural phenomenon. The heart-wrenching incident resulted in the death of children aged between 11 and 12, and it shattered the small community of about 30,000 people.
Families have been vocal about their anguish following the verdict, with some expressing feelings of disbelief in court. Andrew Dodt, father of one of the victims, Peter, conveyed his overwhelming sorrow, stating, “Our hopes are just shattered now,” and lamented the lack of closure, highlighting the void left by his son’s absence and the unfulfilled desire for an apology.
Ms. Gamble, who faced charges nearly two years post-incident in November 2023, has remained in a state of distress as well. Her legal representative, Bethan Frake, stated that Ms. Gamble empathizes deeply with the affected families, emphasizing that the scars from such a tragedy would endure permanently. In recognizing the weight of the loss, Mrs. Frake remarked on behalf of her client, “I can only imagine the pain that other parents are living with each and every day because of this terrible thing that happened.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the impact on the lives involved remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of weather events.
