Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tragedy as five-year-old boy killed when bounce house blown 15 to 20 feet into air

Children were playing in the inflatable outside the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf on Friday night when it was lifted 15 to 20 feet into the air

Myriam Page
Monday 05 August 2024 12:46 EDT
Comments
The inflatable bounce house lifted between 15 and 20 feet into the air in the horrific incident
The inflatable bounce house lifted between 15 and 20 feet into the air in the horrific incident (Marie Ragano/TMX)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A five-year-old boy has been killed and another child injured after strong winds lifted a bounce house into the air during a baseball game in Maryland.

Children were playing in the inflatable outside the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf on Friday night when it was lifted 15 to 20 feet into the air before landing inside the stadium in the midst of a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game.

Officials said multiple children fell from the bounce house, known as the Moon Bounce, before it landed on the baseball field.

Charles County EMS personnel, volunteer first responders, and trainers from the baseball team all rushed to help the children who were in the inflatable at the time, according to a statement on the Charles County Maryland official website.

Several baseball players were seen watching in apparent shock as first responders, parents and baseball trainers worked to help the injured children.

The five-year-old, from La Plata, sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown by Maryland State Police to a children’s hospital, where he later tragically died.

The second child was also rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Photos from the scene show the bounce house deflated on the side of the playing field.

Play was abandoned after the shock incident
Play was abandoned after the shock incident (Marie Ragano/TMX)

Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B Collins said: “We extend our deepest empathy to the children and their families during this difficult time.”

The Blue Crabs abandoned the game that night and canceled all baseball activities the following day.

“Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family mourning the loss of a child, and concern for the child who was injured,” said general manager of the Blue Crabs, Courtney Knichel.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.” 

The team is now offering counseling and support to families, players, and fans who attended Friday’s game and witnessed the incident.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in