NASA wind expert to advise on jumping castle tragedy inquest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 03:01 · Archive

A NASA-contributed wind scientist is expected to analyse a 2021 jumping castle accident that killed six children in Tasmania.

An inquest into the deaths of six children at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania in December 2021 is expected to call on planetary scientist Ralph Lorenz to provide expert analysis. Addison Stewart, Chace Harrison, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt and Zane Mellor died when a freak dust devil wind gust lifted the jumping castle and other inflatable objects into the air during end-of-year celebrations on the school's oval.

Dr Lorenz, who has studied dust devils for more than two decades including their effects on NASA spacecraft, has not yet been formally engaged, but is regarded as a leading expert on dust devils on Earth and Mars. He is expected to provide his opinion on air pressure drops, wind speed and the interaction between the dust devil and the castle. Coroner Olivia McTaggart said his expertise would likely provide critical material to help her understand how the deaths occurred.

Tests involving the reinflation of the castle have been delayed pending discussions with Dr Lorenz. His opinion may impact how that testing is conducted. The inquest, which began on 21 September, is probing the cause of the deaths and whether there were any deficiencies in safety processes. It will resume on 3 November and will hear from witnesses including a police officer who was at the scene.

How it is being reported

• Jumping castle inquest looks to NASA wind expertA scientist specialising in dust devils on Earth and Mars has been called on to provide his opinion about a deadly primary school jumping castle accident.Perth Now · 26 Oct, 02:38
• Jumping castle inquest looks to NASA wind expertA scientist specialising in dust devils on Earth and Mars has been called on to provide his opinion about a deadly primary school jumping castle accident.The West Australian · 26 Oct, 02:38

In this story: Ralph Lorenz · Hillcrest Primary School · Tasmania · NASA · Olivia McTaggart

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