5 children dead after ‘horrific’ bouncy castle incident in Australia

The children fell from a bouncy castle that was picked up by a large gust of wind and sent about 10 metres into the air during a school celebration event in Tasmania.

Five children have died and four others are injured after a bouncy castle they were playing in was picked up by a gust of wind in Australia, police say.

The accident happened at a school fun day on Thursday in Devonport, Tasmania. Hillcrest Primary School was holding its annual tradition to mark the end of the school year.

The children were in the fifth and sixth grade, meaning they were likely 10 or 11 years old.

Two girls and two boys were among the victims. A fifth child later died in hospital. Four more children remain in hospital in critical condition.

“A wind gust had reportedly caused the jumping castle and inflatable balls to lift into the air,” Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine said, adding that the children likely fell from about 10 metres in the air.

“Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates, teachers of these young people who were taken too soon,” he continued.

Community members have begun a small memorial for the lost children, placing stuffed animals at the base of the school’s sign.