One young child was killed and several others were injured when a wind gust blew a bounce house into the air during a baseball game Friday night in Waldorf, Maryland, as children were playing inside.
The incident happened during a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game, and Charles County officials said in a press release that emergency personnel were dispatched to the stadium immediately after the incident.
Authorities said winds sent the bounce house flying about 15 to 20 feet into the air, causing the children to fall before landing on the field.
One of the children, identified by several area residents as Declan Hicks, 5, of La Plata, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.
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A gust of wind blew the bounce house 15 to 20 feet into the air, killing the boy. (Marie Ragano/TMX)
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the children and their families during this difficult time,” said Charles County Commissioner Reuben B. Collins II. “We thank the EMS team and Maryland State Police for acting quickly to ensure the children received immediate medical treatment.”
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs general manager Courtney Nichel also released a statement, saying, “Our entire organization sends our condolences to the family who lost a child and concerns the child who was injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.”
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Five-year-old Declan Hicks has been identified as the child who died in the tragic accident. (Marie Ragano/TMX)
Nichel said the team made the decision to cancel the baseball game on Saturday, Aug. 3, as well as all baseball activities, and that they were also offering counseling and support to families, players and fans who attended the game.
The South Potomac church also confirmed Hicks’ death and said his grandparents were members of the church.
“As some of you may already know, Declan Young, grandson of Elders Bill and Kathleen Young, passed away in a very tragic accident Friday night at Blue Crabs Stadium. We are heartbroken,” the church said in a Facebook statement. “Please pray for the Young family and the entire SPC family. When one mourns, we all mourn.”
The church added that it will partner with Dr. Benjamin Keyes and his team of crisis counselors from the Trauma & Resilience Center at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 5, at Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the Blue Crabs, to help those who need help working through this tragedy.
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The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs canceled their weekend games after a bounce house went flying into the air and killed a child Friday night. (Marie Ragano/TMX)
The La Plata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading organization also shared the news of Hicks’ tragic passing, offering their condolences and saying they would dedicate the upcoming season to Hicks’ memory.
“The La Plata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading organization is mourning the loss of No. 9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team who was taken far too soon following an incident at Blue Crabs Stadium on Friday,” the statement read. “Our deepest condolences go out to his parents, family, friends, coaches and teammates.”
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A sudden gust of wind blew the jump house containing the children up to 20 feet in the air, killing one child and injuring several others. (Marie Ragano/TMX)
The group added that in Hick’s memory, all flag football players and cheerleaders will wear patches this season and all tackle football players will have Hick’s number on their helmets.
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“Rest in peace Declan, always in our hearts and forever a Blue Knight,” the group said.
This is not the first fatality involving a child and a bounce house reported this year.
In May, a 2-year-old was killed and another injured when a bounce house blew over in strong winds in Casa Grande, Arizona.
