A tragic incident during a minor league baseball game resulted in the death of a 5-year-old fan, reminiscent of earlier events at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ home park, a recent report reveals.
Read more: Minor League Baseball Game Ends in Tragedy For 5-Year-Old Fan
According to TheBayNet.com, witnesses reported a history of bounce house accidents at past games:
One eyewitness recounted an event between 2010 and 2012 where a bounce house detached from its anchors, sending children airborne before landing on the field—similar to Friday’s fatal accident.
Following the incident, the Blue Crabs canceled Friday’s game, during which another child was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening. Saturday’s game was also postponed immediately. Sunday saw further delays in their schedule.
The team disabled comments on their two posts on Twitter/X regarding the game’s postponements.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Despite past bounce house incidents, the Blue Crabs seemingly overlooked the risks. This is particularly concerning given numerous similar tragedies across the globe.
A University of Georgia study, noted by the New York Times, reported at least 479 injuries and 28 deaths due to wind-related bounce house incidents from 2000-2021.
Recently, a tragic April incident in Arizona claimed the life of a 2-year-old when a bounce house was swept away, and five children in Australia died in a similar fate while attending a school event in 2021.
Officials in Charles County, Maryland, stated the bounce house at the Blue Crabs game ascended “15 to 20 feet” before landing near first base.
Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. expressed, “We extend our deepest empathy 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.”
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs General Manager Courtney Knichel shared her condolences, stating, “Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family mourning the loss of a child, and concern for the child who was injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”