Ten other people were injured after powerful gusts struck a church festival in a Montreal park.
MONTREAL, Quebec — A 3-year-old girl has died after a powerful gust of wind lifted a bouncy castle into the air during a church festival in a Montreal park, sending children and adults scrambling for safety and leaving 10 other people injured.
The accident happened Sunday afternoon at Ouellette Park in the LaSalle borough as families gathered for an event organized by the Mission of Madere Dei Cristiani church community. Emergency crews treated multiple victims after the inflatable structure became airborne during severe weather. The girl remained in critical condition for two days before officials confirmed her death Tuesday, prompting a formal coroner’s investigation and renewed questions about safety during sudden wind events.
Witnesses described a celebration that quickly turned chaotic as dark clouds moved across the area shortly before 4:30 p.m. Families had gathered for food, games and activities when weather conditions changed rapidly. Rosella Peluzzo, who attended the event, said chairs and tables began flying as strong winds swept through the park. She recalled seeing the inflatable play structure rise dramatically into the air before crashing back down. Another attendee, Eric Chicas, said the gust arrived almost instantly after rain began falling. He said he watched a large inflatable structure soar above the crowd and feared children were trapped inside. Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting that an inflatable play structure had been blown away. Paramedics, firefighters and police rushed to the scene as festival-goers attempted to help injured children and adults.
Authorities said 11 people were hurt in the incident. Several victims were taken to hospitals, including children and adults who suffered serious injuries. Early reports indicated that six of the injured required hospital treatment for significant trauma. The 3-year-old girl was among the most critically injured victims. Officials have not publicly released her name. Witness accounts differed on how high the inflatable rose, with some estimating it reached roughly 40 feet in the air before falling. Others described the structure lifting lower but still with enough force to cause severe injuries. Weather conditions in the area included thunderstorms and strong gusts moving through southwestern Montreal. Investigators have not yet determined whether the inflatable was properly anchored or whether any equipment failures contributed to the accident. Those questions are expected to form a central part of the ongoing inquiry.
The tragedy joins a series of similar incidents reported around the world in recent years. Fatal accidents involving inflatable play structures have occurred in Spain, Belgium, Australia and other countries after sudden gusts of wind lifted equipment into the air. One of the deadliest cases occurred in Tasmania in 2021, when six children died after a jumping castle became airborne during a school event. Safety experts have long warned that inflatables can become dangerous in rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly if wind speeds increase unexpectedly. Industry guidance generally requires operators to secure structures with stakes or other anchoring systems and to monitor weather conditions continuously. Despite those precautions, sudden storms have repeatedly been linked to serious injuries and deaths. The Montreal incident has renewed attention on those risks, particularly during outdoor community events where large numbers of children gather.
Quebec’s Coroner’s Office has assigned Coroner Martine Lachance to investigate the death. Officials said the inquiry will examine the circumstances leading up to the accident and determine whether recommendations should be issued to prevent similar tragedies. Investigators are expected to review weather records, witness statements, event planning documents and the installation of the inflatable structure. Police have not announced any criminal investigation, and no charges have been filed. Municipal officials and emergency management personnel are also expected to examine how the event responded to changing weather conditions. The investigation could take months before a final report is completed. Coroners in Quebec have the authority to issue public recommendations when they believe changes could help prevent future deaths.
The death sent shockwaves through the LaSalle community and among members of the church that organized the gathering. In a statement, parish representatives said attendees were traumatized by what they witnessed and were not prepared to discuss details publicly. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed condolences to the girl’s family and the wider community, describing the news as heartbreaking. Witnesses said many parents rushed toward the inflatable as debris blew across the park. Some tried to shield children while others searched for family members amid the confusion. Emergency responders were praised by local officials for their rapid arrival and treatment of victims. For many who attended the festival, the event that began as a community celebration ended with scenes of fear, grief and disbelief.
The investigation remains active as officials work to determine exactly how the inflatable became airborne. Authorities are expected to continue gathering evidence in the coming weeks, while the coroner’s inquiry will focus on the causes of the death and any recommendations that may emerge from the findings.