'THEY'LL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN'

DEVONPORT’S LOCAL COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO RALLY AROUND THE FAMILIES OF THE YOUNG VICTIMS

- John Burfitt

There’s been too many tears shed to count in Devonport over the past couple of weeks, as residents of the Tasmanian seaside city continue to reel from the jumping castle tragedy that has claimed six young lives.

An end-of-year celebration at Hillcrest Primary School on December 16 turned fatal when a freak gust of wind picked up a jumping castle that nine children were playing on and sent it flying through the air. The terrified Year 5 and 6 pupils fell from a height of around 10 metres.

The deceased have been identified as Addison Stewart and Chace Harrison, both 11, Jye Sheehan, Zane Mellor, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones and Peter Dodt, all aged 12.

At the time New Idea went to print, two children remained in hospital in critical condition and another was recovering at home. Police estimated up to 40 other pupils witnessed the horrifying event.

Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff tells New Idea the heartbreaking incident, only days before Christmas, has shattered the community.

“There are so many people who are hurting at the moment,” Ms Rockliff says.

“We are a fairly small regional centre, and there are connections everywhere. Everyone is affected in some way or has a link to someone involved. It’s something we’re all still trying to process.”

Ms Rockliff reveals while she didn’t know any of the victims personally, she had been with them in their classroom only a matter of weeks before the tragedy, giving an address about what local government does.