Boy dies after bouncy castle accident at Maryland baseball game

A stock photo of a bouncy castle, probably like the one at the baseball game. Stock photo courtesy of Pixabay

Aug. 4 (UPI) — A 5-year-old boy died and another child was injured after wind gusts tossed a bouncy castle 15 to 20 feet into the air during a professional baseball game in Maryland Friday night, authorities said.

The inflatable playhouse was installed in the right field stands of Regency Furniture Stadium during the game between the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the York Revolution, teams of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Emergency workers were already on scene monitoring the baseball game and caring for the children, along with baseball coaches and volunteer emergency workers, county officials said.

The victim, a 5-year-old from La Plata, Maryland, was taken to Children’s Hospital but was pronounced dead later that night, authorities said. The second child was flown to the hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the children and their families during this difficult time,” Charles County Professional Baseball Atlantic League president John F. Kennedy said in a statement.

“We thank our EMS team and the Maryland State Police for their quick actions to ensure the children received immediate care.”

The Blue Crabs have canceled Saturday’s game and the team is offering counseling and support to families, players and fans who attended the game.

“Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family as they mourn the loss of a child and are concerned for the child who was injured,” said Blue Crabs General Manager Courtney Knichel. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”