Australia charges bouncy castle operator over 2021 child deaths

Australia charges bouncy castle operator over 2021 child deaths

The company, Taz-Zorb, was reportedly charged with breaching health and safety legislation.

Six children were killed after strong winds lifted one of Taz-Zorb’s inflatable play structures into the air in December 2021. (AAP Image/AP pic)
SYDNEY:
Australian authorities charged a bouncy castle operator today over a 2021 disaster in which six children were killed after strong winds lifted one of the inflatable play structures into the air.

The company, Taz-Zorb, has been charged with breaching health and safety legislation, said Robyn Pearce, the work health and safety regulator in the state of Tasmania, where the tragedy occurred.

Strong winds blew a large inflatable castle into the air at an end-of-term school party in December 2021, killing six children aged between 11 and 12.

Authorities at the time said the children were thrown from a height of about 10m, citing initial witness reports.

Prosecutors filed a complaint alleging Taz-Zorb had “exposed the children to a risk of death or serious injury”, Pearce said in a statement.

“Throughout the last year, I have continued to meet with the families of the children who died or were injured in this incident and would again like to express my condolences to each of them.”

The company can be punished with a fine of up to A$1.5 million for the alleged offence.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.