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Hillcrest Jumping Castle 'Not Anchored Properly'
Police said only four of eight anchorage points held pegs as the inquest examined safety failures and scene management after six children died.
- On Friday, the inquest into the 2021 Hillcrest Primary School tragedy heard the jumping castle was insufficiently tethered, with only half of its eight anchorage points secured by pegs.
- Six children died after a freak 'dust devil' wind gust lifted the inflatable castle 16 metres into the air during an end-of-year celebration at the Devonport school in December 2021.
- Forensic officer Constable Dean Wotherspoon testified that unclear chains of command hindered police operations, describing the scene as 'chaotic' while admitting he mistakenly left the scene to photograph children.
- Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar apologized to families for communication failures, noting the tragedy caused a $7.39 million financial impact with five officers left incapacitated from work.
- The inquest, which began Monday to examine safety processes and departmental deficiencies, will reconvene in November and February to continue reviewing the circumstances of the tragedy.
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The CourierReposted by 
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times'Chaos, confusion': cop recalls jumping castle tragedy
Chains of command were confusing in the initial aftermath of a primary school jumping castle tragedy that killed...
·Ballarat City, Australia
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 33%
11%
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