An 11-year-old boy has become the sixth child to die following a tragic incident involving a bouncy castle in Australia.
As reported by CNN, nine children fell 32 feet after a bouncy castle they were playing on was lifted into the air by strong winds during a celebratory end-of-year event at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on Thursday, December 16.
On Sunday, December 19, Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine confirmed in a statement that a sixth child has lost his life, following the tragedy.
“It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm an 11-year-old boy passed away in hospital this afternoon,” said Hine. “His name is Chace Harrison.”
The statement continued: “Our thoughts continue to be with his family, and the families and loved ones of all the children involved, during what is an incomprehensibly difficult time.”
Yesterday, Hine announced the names of the five other children who lost their lives as a result of the incident: Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, and Peter Dodt, 12.
Australians mourning "horrific" national tragedy after five children killed in bouncy castle accident https://t.co/dTMoA3UHby
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 17, 2021
Two other children are currently in critical conditions in the Royal Hobart Hospital, and another who was on the bouncy castle is now recovering at home.
Hine said on Sunday that the Devonport Criminal Investigation Branch is working tirelessly with Launceston CIB and the Coroner in the investigation into the fatal incident.
“Their priority will be to interview all witnesses, gather and analyze forensic evidence and all environmental aspects, including weather patterns and conditions at the time of the incident,” Hine said in his statement.
“Given the magnitude of this critical incident and the need to speak to a large number of traumatized children within a short period of time, we have accepted an offer from NSW Police to assist in conducting interviews in relation to the investigation.”
Hine added that four expert forensic child interviewers will be making the journey to Tasmania today in order to help conduct interviews with any remaining young witnesses over the following days.
Our thoughts are with the children’s families and friends at this time.
