Bouncy Castle Operator Cleared in 6 Kids' Deaths

The court's verdict: It was a freak gust, not foul play. An Australian judge has cleared the operator of a bouncy castle house in the deaths of six children in 2021, reports the BBC. The judge concluded that the tragedy in Davenport, Tasmania, was the result of "an unprecedented weather system" that was "impossible to predict." The incident occurred at a primary school fair when a wind gust lifted the inflatable structure about 30 feet.

Prosecutors argued that Rosemary Anne Gamble, owner of Taz-Zorb, failed to properly secure the castle. However, Magistrate Robert Webster said that even additional safety measures would not have helped given the nature of the weather system involved, "namely a dust devil," per CNA. "I never meant for something like this to happen," said Gamble after the verdict. "And I am just so sorry that it did." The children who died were ages 11 or 12. Three others were seriously injured.