Devonport Tragedy: A Jumping Castle Gone Wrong
In a heart‑shattering turn of events, four youngsters lost their lives when a lightweight inflatable play centre was swept into the air by a fierce gust of wind during a Saturday school fete. They crashed down roughly 10 metres (33 feet), causing severe injuries to others.
The Calamity
- Location: Hillcrest Primary School, Devonport, Tasmania
- Time: Wednesday morning, 10 am local (7 am Singapore time)
- Victims: Two boys and two girls in Year 6 (10–11 years old)
- Injured: Five children now in hospital, four in critical condition
It’s still unclear how the castle was picked up—no one yet knows if a sudden storm, a faulty tether, or simply an unlucky gust pulled it off its anchor. The identities of the children remain private, but the community is already mourning profusely.
Reaction From Leaders
- Police Commissioner Darren Hine: “These kids were supposed to be celebrating their final year of primary school. Instead, we’re all holding a funeral.” He added that the coronial inquest will follow an initial probe.
- Premier Peter Gutwein: “It’s unbelievably shocking that this happened. We’ll dig into every detail.”
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison: “It’s just heartbreaking. Young children, families, fun times turned into a nightmare.”
What This Means
Australia’s deadliest mishap involving a play ride, this incident has left people stunned. In the weeks ahead, the community will need to lean on each other, find solace in emergency responses, and confront the fragile nature of fun.
For now, we share the news and pray for those affected, hoping that their memories brighten what remains. It’s a moment to remember: safety, tragedy, and the resilience of a community.
