A strong wind event caused the inflatable bouncy castle at Hillcrest Primary School to “lift into the air,” and several school children “fell from a height of about 10 metres” on Thursday morning, killing four, according to Tasmania Police.
Four other children are reportedly in critical condition and were transported to the hospital by helicopter.
Tasmania Police Commander Debbie Williams called the accident “a very tragic event” and said there was “no doubt that this has been a very confronting and distressing scene.”
The school closed immediately after the accident and photographs taken by ABC News showed responding police officers struggling emotionally at the scene.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a statement on Thursday, offering his prayers to “the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event.”
“My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today,” he wrote.
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