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Police identify 5 children who died after falling from bouncy castle blown 32 feet into air
Police in Australia have identified the five children who lost their lives after winds blew a bouncy castle 32 feet into the air at a school.
Posting to Facebook on Friday, Tasmania Police confirmed that Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, and Peter Dodt, 12, died in the accident which took place the previous day at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport.
Authorities noted in the post: "With permission from their families, police have today released the names of the five children tragically killed in yesterday’s incident at a Devonport primary school."
"Our thoughts continue to be with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragedy," they added in the social media statement.
Investigators also confirmed in another post that another three children are still in the hospital in critical condition. One child who sustained injuries in the incident is now in recovery at home.
The post read: "The investigation into a tragic incident at a primary school in Devonport yesterday is continuing.
"An absolute tragedy is the only way to describe this event. Five children have died, and another three remain in hospital after a significant local wind event reportedly caused a jumping castle and several inflatable 'zorb' balls to lift into the air yesterday morning.
"Police understand there were close to 40 year 5/6 students taking part in the end of term activities when the incident occurred. Nine children were seriously injured; tragically five of those children have died – three boys and two girls."
It continued: "One girl was 11 years old; the other four children were 12 years old. Three remain in a critical condition, one is now recovering at home. There’s no doubt this incident will leave its mark.
"Police are continuing to investigate the matter alongside WorkSafe Tasmania, and we are preparing a report for the Coroner.
"Cross-agency community recovery arrangements are in place, led by the Tasmania Police Western District Commander, and police are liaising closely with the families affected.
"We know Tasmanians will come together to support each other at this difficult time. Our heart goes out to all those affected, and our thoughts are with them."
Our thoughts are with the children's families at this devastating time.