Sixth child dies after bouncy castle accident

A sixth child died in hospital days after a bouncy castle blew up in Australia, police said on Sunday. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm that an 11-year-old boy died in hospital this afternoon,” Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine said. Our hearts continue to go out to his family and to the families and loved ones of all the children involved during an extremely difficult time ”.

The child succumbed to his injuries three days after a large bouncy castle was blown up by the wind at an elementary school graduation party in the Tasmanian town of Devenport. Before him, two 12-year-old boys and two girls, 11 and 12, had died in the tragedy. Two other children are still hospitalized in critical condition and another has been able to return home.

An open investigation

The drama aroused deep emotion across the country. Flowers were placed in front of the school and an online appeal for donations raised 1.2 million Australian dollars (760,000 euros) for the families of the victims. Witnesses said the children were thrown about ten meters from the ground.

An investigation has been launched. It should “take a while”, according to the Tasmanian authorities. Police from the country arrived in reinforcement on the island state to help question those present at the party, which was attended by some 40 primary school students.