Lucas Reid, 15, died in an e-bike crash after surviving the Tasmania jumping castle tragedy. Photo / Supplied
Lucas Reid, 15, died in an e-bike crash after surviving the Tasmania jumping castle tragedy. Photo / Supplied
A teenager who survived the Tasmania jumping castle tragedy is being remembered for his “resilience” and “optimism” following his death in an e-bike crash.
Lucas Reid, 15, was on his e-bike when police say he collided with a telephone pole on Dons Head Rd in Devonport about 7.30pm on NewYear’s Eve.
A nearby resident rushed to the schoolboy’s aid but he could not be saved.
Lucas suffered serious injuries in December 2021 when a jumping castle was thrown into the air from a freak gust of wind at Hillcrest Primary School, in the state’s north.
Six children were killed and three were injured during the end-of-year celebrations.
Lucas, who made a miraculous recovery, was a passionate fan of the AFL and supported the Richmond Tigers, meeting captain Jack Riewoldt months after the tragedy.
But he later changed his allegiance to the GWS Giants because of his love for the team’s captain Toby Greene who he met in the change rooms in 2022.
Lucas Reid was remembered for his resilience and optimism by GWS Giants captain Toby Greene. Photo / X
“It is tragic news. Lucas was such a great young man and had overcome so much. His resilience and optimism really stood out,” the forward told The Mercury.
“We met many years ago, enjoyed staying in touch and the boys all loved seeing him at games. The Giants family extend our deepest sympathies to the Reid family and friends.”
Giants CEO David Matthews described the 15-year-old’s death as “devastating”.
“He had this resilience and energy and the adversity that he got dealt was a massive blow in itself but I think he wasn’t going to let anything stop him,” he said.
“That’s why this is so devastating.”
Tributes have poured in for the teen. Photo / Supplied
Lucas was one of three kids injured when a jumping castle was lifted 10m into the air by what witnesses have described in court as a “mini tornado”.
The inflatable was thrown across the school’s oval.
Rosemary Anne Gamble, trading as Taz-Zorb, who set up the jumping castle, was found not guilty of a health and safety charge in June last year.
Prosecutors accused Gamble of failing to properly anchor the inflatable, but her defence team argued the tragedy could not be prevented.
Magistrate Robert Webster said the gust of wind that caused the deadly tragedy was “unforeseeable” and Gamble’s actions “made no difference to the ultimate outcome”.
Families in court for the hearing were left shocked and angered by the decision.
Investigations continue
Tasmania Police are continuing to investigate the crash that killed Lucas.
Describing the incident as “tragic”, Inspector Nick Clark urged parents to talk to their kids about riding safely on e-bikes.
“Are your children doing the right thing? Are you giving your child the right advice? Are they riding safely?” he said on New Year’s Day.
Investigators found a helmet on the rural road where he crashed, but they have not determined if the teenager was wearing it or if it was properly secured.
Lucas died when he struck a pole on a rural road. Photo / ABC
Deaths and injuries involving e-devices have surged in recent years because of popularity.
At least 41 Australians have been killed in e-bike-related incidents.
The youngest reported death is 8-year-old Zeke Hondow, who died in a head-on crash with a teenage e-bike rider at Queensland’s Mountain Creek in October 2025.
Governments across the country are considering tighter restrictions on e-bikes.
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