WALDORF, MD – A tragic incident unfolded at a minor league baseball game in Maryland when a bounce house was swept up by strong winds, resulting in the death of a 5-year-old boy and injuries to another child. The inflatable play structure was lifted 15 to 20 feet into the air by gusty winds around 9:20 p.m. on Friday night. The children inside were thrown out before the bounce house crash-landed on the playing field at Regency Furniture Stadium, home to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
The 5-year-old boy, a resident of La Plata, sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to Children’s Hospital by Maryland State Police. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the boy succumbed to his injuries. Another child, who also suffered injuries, was flown to a local hospital. The extent of this child’s injuries was not immediately known, but they were not considered life-threatening.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were in the middle of a game when the incident occurred. The team’s General Manager, Courtney Knichel, expressed her condolences to the family of the deceased child and concern for the injured child. “Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family mourning the loss of a child, and concern for the child who was injured,” Knichel said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the team canceled the game and all baseball activities scheduled for Saturday. The Blue Crabs also announced that they would be offering counseling services to players and fans who were present at the game.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of inflatable play structures, particularly in windy conditions. Safety measures and precautions are crucial to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.