More than three years after six children lost their lives in Tasmania’s worst school tragedy, families will today learn whether the woman who provided the fatal jumping castle will be criminally convicted.
Magistrate Robert Webster is handing down his verdict this morning in the case against Rosemary Gamble, who ran Taz-Zorb – the company that supplied the inflatable equipment for Hillcrest Primary School’s end-of-year celebrations in December 2021.
Six students – Zane Mellor, Peter Dodt, Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Chace Harrison – died when a sudden gust of wind lifted the jumping castle and several zorb balls into the air during the event.
With high public interest in the case, the Magistrates Court has made special arrangements, including live streams at the paranaple Centre in Devonport and the Hobart Magistrates Court.
“Given the size of the courtroom in the Devonport Magistrates Court, the public access will largely be reserved for families and those immediately impacted by the tragedy,” court administrator Yolanda Prenc said.
Gamble has pleaded not guilty to a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. Prosecutors allege she failed to properly secure the inflatable equipment and ignored weather warnings.
Her lawyer told the court she acknowledges her health and safety responsibilities, but denies failing to meet them – arguing she took all reasonable steps to do her duty.
State Recovery Adviser Simon Hiscock said he recognised how difficult today would be for the families as the legal process draws to a close.
“We have been working with the Magistrates Court to put in place arrangements to support people who choose to attend the court proceedings,” Hiscock said in a statement to families.
“We have also been communicating directly with the families of the deceased and injured children.”
Today’s criminal verdict represents just one part of the legal response to the tragedy. Law firm Maurice Blackburn has launched a class action against both the State of Tasmania and Taz-Zorb operators on behalf of affected families.
Magistrate Webster is due to deliver his decision at 10am.
