Crime & justice

Australian Bouncy Castle Operator Cleared in Fatal Tragedy

Published JUN 6 2025

Story

Above: A generic image of children waiting in line to play in a bouncy house. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

Australian woman Rosemary Anne Gamble, operator of the Taz-Zorb bouncy castle business, was found not guilty on Friday in connection with the December 2021 deaths of six children, aged 11-12, and serious injuries to three others during an end-of-year celebration.
ABC
BBC News
Dailytelegraph
Tasmanian Magistrate Robert Webster ruled the incident occurred due to an "unprecedented weather system," described as a dust devil, that was "impossible to predict," stating that even if Gamble had taken additional safety measures, it "would sadly have made no difference."
The Epoch Times
The Independent
Prosecutors alleged Gamble failed to adequately anchor the bouncy castle, using pegs at only four of eight recommended anchor points, but the defense argued the Chinese manufacturer provided insufficient instructions and only supplied four pegs with the equipment.
ABC
The Epoch Times
The victims fell approximately 10 meters (32.8 feet) when strong winds lifted the castle skyward and flung it 75 meters across the school oval, with one child struck by the inflatable blower while waiting in line.
ABC
BBC News
Dailytelegraph
A coronial inquest and civil class action lawsuit against both Gamble and the state of Tasmania remain pending.
ABC
The Epoch Times

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This verdict is a devastating blow to the families of Chace, Jalailah, Zane, Addison, Jye, and Peter, who died tragic, unnecessary deaths. Despite Gamble's failure to properly anchor the castle, the court still decided to offer no justice, leaving grieving parents like Georgie Burt and Andrew Dodt shattered, without accountability or closure.

guardian

Narrative B

While the loss of these young ones is heartbreaking, Gamble doesn't deserve punishment. The court rightly blamed this tragedy on an "unforeseeable" dust devil, not Gamble's actions. Even extra anchors wouldn't have prevented the disaster. Gamble, a mother, carries profound remorse for the families, and punishing her would not make things any better.