A tragic accident unfolded on Thursday outside of a school in Australia that has left five children dead.
The children were playing inside of a blow-up bouncy castle during a celebration just before Christmas break at Hillcrest Primary School in northern Tasmania. But large gusts of wind suddenly picked the bouncy castle up and tossed it into the air.
The children inside were reportedly tossed about 33 feet into the air. Five children were killed and at least five others injured when they fell to the ground. Tasmania Police Commander Debbie Williams said that “several children fell from the jumping castle. It appears they may have fallen from a height of approximately 10 meters.”
The incident is heartbreaking. The day was supposed to be a celebration, marking the final days of school before break. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the incident “shattering” and “unthinkably heartbreaking.”
“Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such a horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart,” he continued.
The victims were reportedly all fifth and sixth grade students, between the ages of 10 and 12. While one had been in "serious" condition, that student ultimately died later at the hospital, bringing the death toll from four to five. Five other students remain in critical condition.
It was also reported that some of the children's parents witnessed the horrific event unfold. They were at the school in order to help out with the celebratory event.
The school remained closed for the day following the tragedy.
Incidents like this are, of course, extraordinarily rare. Still, this isn't the first of its kind. Other tragedies involving large gusts lifting bouncy houses off the ground and leading to deaths have been reported over the years. One took place in 2015 in China. Just this May, a similar incident in Arizona led to multiple injuries.
