Class action launched over Hillcrest Primary School tragedy

16 December 2024

On 16 December 2021, six children died and three were injured after a jumping castle and zorb balls were lifted into the air by a wind gust during end-of-year celebrations at the Devonport school.

The class action has been filed in the Supreme Court of Tasmania against the State of Tasmania and the operators of Taz-Zorb, which supplied and set up the jumping castle and zorb balls.

The lead plaintiffs are Georgina Burt and Andrew Dodt. Georgina’s son Zane Mellor, and Andrew’s son Peter Dodt, both died during the incident.

People who are eligible to join the class action include:

• Children who suffered a physical or psychological injury during the incident
• Witnesses of the incident or the immediate aftermath
• Close family members (including parents, legal guardians and siblings) of the deceased or injured children

In a writ lodged with the court, the case alleges that the State – as operators of the school – and the Taz-Zorb operators owed a duty of care for the students.

The case also alleges that the defendants failed to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the children taking part in the activities.

Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Dimi Ioannou said:

“There are no words that can ever truly capture the loss that our clients have suffered because of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy.

“It is an unspeakable and devastating loss for these families and for everyone who loved these children.

“When parents drop their kids off at the school gate, they have a right to expect their children will be safe.

“The families affected by the tragedy of what happened at Hillcrest feel the pain and the trauma of their loss every day. Nothing will erase the suffering or bring back their lost children.

“What these families hope to achieve through this class action is some accountability for what happened on that day.

“This class action is the first step in the path to securing a measure of justice for the families affected by the Hillcrest tragedy.”

Ms Ioannou said anyone who wanted to be a member of the class action could register via the website or by emailing HillcrestClassAction@mauriceblackburn.com.au

Media enquires:

Chee Chee Leung at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers 0412 560 584 cleung@mauriceblackburn.com.au