The tragedy occurred when children at Hillcrest Elementary School in Devonford, on the north coast of Tasmania, attended a school closing day event.
“Nine grade 5/6 Hillcrest elementary school students fell from a height of 10 meters and the jumping fort and several inflatable” Jorb “balls were thrown into the air around 10 a.m. due to a significant local wind,” Tasmanian police said. Report.
The five children killed included three men and two women. One was 11 years old and four were 12, police said Friday. Three of the injured children are still in hospital, police said.
An investigation is underway into what caused the tragedy, including the strength of the wind and how the fort was attached to the ground.
Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hein said the fort was blown off the ground by a gust of wind when “about 40” children were involved in the operation. Several adults oversaw the event and provided first aid until emergency services arrived, he added.
In the small town of about 30,000 people, the authorities provide counseling services to first responders and others.
Tasmanian Prime Minister Peter Goodwin said the incident had affected everyone in the community.
“It’s catastrophic. It’s heartbreaking. It’s simply incomprehensible. It should have been a school year end celebration.
“I know this will be a very challenging time for the whole community.”
According to the school’s Facebook page, Bouncy Castle is one of the many treats organized for students as part of the “Big Day Inn”. Other activities include a water sports zone and jorb balls.
Emergency services, including helicopters, were sent to the school to treat the injured and transport some to the hospital.
As Hillcrest Elementary School closed soon after, parents urged parents to pick up their children from school and asked police to evacuate the area.
“This is a very sad event and our thoughts are with families and the wider school community and our first responders,” Police Commander Debbie Williams told reporters at the school on Thursday.
“This is undoubtedly a very confusing and painful scene. Counseling is being provided to the affected families in the school community along with the first responders,” he said.
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