Coronial inquest into jumping castle tragedy may begin later this year

A coronial inquest into the deaths of six children in a jumping castle tragedy at a Tasmanian primary school could begin later this year.

Transcript

00:02Today was another step in the long road to answers for the families of the Hillcrest

00:07tragedy victims.

00:08Those families were among dozens who again filed into the Devonport Magistrates Court

00:13today.

00:14They spent two weeks hearing forensic detail about the children's deaths during the criminal

00:19case in late 2024.

00:21Rosemary Gamble was ultimately found not guilty of failing in her work health and safety duty

00:27and now the Coroner's Court has heard it is hoped that the inquest may be able to begin

00:32this year.

00:33But it was too early to set a date, determine the inquest length or even confirm where it

00:39may be held.

00:40Counsel Assisting the Coroner Marie Norton told the court documents had been disclosed

00:45to the parties.

00:47She said she was hopeful that pending any submissions the lawyers make to the court in the coming

00:52weeks the inquest may be able to begin this year.

00:55But Coroner Olivia McTaggart suggested that if the jumping castle itself needs to be re-inflated

01:01for inspection by an expert, the timing may be delayed.

01:05Ms Norton said it was also unclear whether the Devonport Court was big enough to hold

01:09the inquest and suggested it could be held in the city's conference centre.

01:13We'll know more when the case returns to court in Hobart next month.

01:17I'll see you in the next few minutes.

01:18Just a little bit, please.

01:18I'm going to give you a little bit of a look.

01:18I won't give you a little bit of a look.

01:18I just want to let you know.

01:18I want to give you a little bit of a look.

01:18I can give you a little bit of a look.