In Waldorf, Maryland, on Friday night, a gust of wind sent a bounce house flying into the air while kids were inside playing. One child was killed and several others were hurt.
It took place at a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game. In a press statement, Charles County officials said that first responders were sent to the stadium right away after the incident.
Officials say the wind blew the bounce house 15 to 20 feet into the air, where kids fell before it landed on the field.
Several people in the child’s neighborhood identified him as Declan Hicks, 5, from La Plata. He was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that could kill him. At the hospital, they later said he was dead.
Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II said, “We send our deepest condolences to the children and their families during this difficult time.” “We thank our EMS team and the Maryland State Police for their swift actions to ensure the children received immediate care.”
The General Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Courtney Knichel, also said in a statement, “Our whole organization sends our condolences to the family who lost a child and our concern for the child who was hurt.” They are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Knichel said that the team had decided to cancel all baseball activities and Saturday’s game on August 3. They are also giving counseling and support to families, players, and fans who went to the game.
The South Potomac Church also said they knew about Hicks’ death and that his grandparents were church members.
Declan, the grandson of Elder Bill and Kathleen Young, died in a terrible accident at the Blue Crabs stadium on Friday night. Some of you may already know this. The church said in a Facebook post, “We are heartbroken.” “Please pray for the Young family and everyone at SPC.” “When one hurts, we all hurt.”
Along with Dr. Benjamin Keyes of The Center for Trauma & Resiliency and his team of crisis counselors, the church said they will be at the Blue Crabs’ home stadium, Regency Furniture Stadium, on August 5 at 7 p.m. to help anyone who needs it during this terrible time.
The La Plata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading group also shared the sad news of Hicks’ death. They sent their condolences and said that their upcoming season would be dedicated to him.
“The LaPlata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization would like to take this time to mourn the loss of #9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team, who was taken far to soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium,” it said. “We offer our sincerest condolences to his parents, family, friends, coaches and teammates.”
As a way to remember Hick, the group said that all flag football players and dancers would wear a patch and all tackle football players would have his number on their helmets this season.
“Always in our hearts and always a Blue Knight, rest in peace Declan,” the group said.
This is not the first accident this year in which a child died while using a bounce house.
A 2-year-old child died and another was hurt in May when a bounce house in Casa Grande, Arizona, was blown over by the wind.
