A heartbreaking incident at a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball game on Friday night resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy, leaving the community in mourning. Charles County officials released details about the incident on Saturday.
Around 9:21 p.m., emergency 911 calls reported that a bounce house at the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, had become airborne with children inside. A strong gust of wind lifted the bounce house approximately 15 to 20 feet into the air, causing the children to fall out before it landed on the field.
Emergency medical personnel, who were already at the stadium, along with the baseball team’s trainers and volunteer first responders, provided immediate care to the injured children.
The 5-year-old boy was flown by Maryland State Police (MSP) helicopter to Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Another child was also transported by MSP helicopter to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to officials.
Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq expressed deep sympathy, stating, “Our hearts go out to the children and their families during this incredibly difficult time. We appreciate the quick response from our EMS team and the Maryland State Police to ensure the injured received prompt medical attention.” Following the tragedy, the Blue Crabs canceled Saturday’s game and all related activities.
Courtney Knichel, General Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, conveyed the team’s condolences, saying, “Our entire organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a young life and the injury to another. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.”
The team is providing counseling and support to the families, players, and fans who were present at the game.
Michael J.
Schreyer
Founding Partner
Andrew D.
Alpert
Founding Partner
Christopher
Murphy
Attorney
Michael
Berman
Attorney
Michael
McCubbin
Attorney
Wind-Related Bounce House Accidents: A Growing Concern
Since 2000, wind has been responsible for 479 injuries and 28 deaths linked to bounce house incidents worldwide, according to new research from the University of Georgia. These alarming statistics highlight a significant safety concern, especially given the lack of regulations governing the use of these popular inflatable structures.
The study revealed that weather events caused more than 130 bounce house accidents over the past two decades. Researchers believe the actual numbers might be higher due to underreporting. These wind-related injuries come in addition to an estimated 10,000 emergency room visits annually in the U.S. due to bounce house mishaps, which often result in broken bones, muscle sprains, and concussions.
Inadequate Regulations and Safety Precautions
Lead author John Knox, a geography professor at UGA, emphasized that bounce houses require secure staking and vigilant monitoring of wind conditions. Despite seemingly good weather, minor wind speeds can pose a risk. Over 80 of the 132 documented events were linked to cold fronts, dust devils, and thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, less than half of U.S. states have specific regulations for safe bounce house usage, and 17 states have no guidelines at all. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, which recommend a maximum wind gust speed of 25 mph for secure bounce house operation, are only cited by 19 states. However, over a third of the recorded accidents occurred at wind speeds below this threshold, indicating that even lower speeds can be hazardous.
Personal Injury Statistics
75%
of people who are injured due to someone else's negligence don't believe they could pursue an injury claim.
95%
of personal injury cases are settled pretrial. Typically, only about five percent of personal injury claims will go to trial.
$0
is the amount it will cost you to contact us and start your personal injury claim. Reach out for a free consultation.
Ensuring Safety and Raising Awareness
To mitigate these risks, experts recommend securing bounce houses with stakes or sandbags, closely monitoring wind conditions, and having a weather-savvy attendant on-site. Researchers have developed a website documenting their findings and offering safety tips for consumers.
Thomas Gill, a co-author and environmental science professor, stressed the importance of public awareness and preparedness. Simple precautions like securing outdoor items and monitoring weather can significantly reduce the risk of wind-related bounce house accidents. As bounce houses remain a staple of outdoor fun, taking these safety measures seriously is crucial to protecting children from potential harm.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers if You or a Loved one Have Been Injured in a Bounce House Accident
Each year children are hurt and killed in bounce houses which could have been prevented. The dangers of weather and wind on improperly secured bounce houses are well documented and put operators on notice of the importance to properly secure and monitor bounce houses when they welcome our children. When bounce house operators fail to make them safe and harm children, they are responsible for all of the damage that has been caused.
Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers is equipped to fight for victims and their families when negligent bounce house operators hurt children. Our engineers have experience in showing the failures that lead to these tragedies, to hold the operators accountable, and to prevent these kinds of harms in the future.
To read the original article click here
Statistics in this article can be found here
