Folks, we’ve got some heartbreaking news coming out of Waldorf, Maryland. A night that should have been filled with joy turned into a tragic nightmare during a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball game when a gust of wind sent a bounce house airborne, resulting in the death of a young child and injuries to several others.
The incident occurred on Friday night when a sudden gust lifted the bounce house 15 to 20 feet into the air, causing the children inside to fall before it crash-landed on the playing field. First responders were quickly on the scene, but despite their efforts, 5-year-old Declan Hicks of La Plata was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead.
According to the sheriff’s office, the bounce house was picked up by a gust and went between 15 and 20 feet in the air. https://t.co/gcwg5kk8on
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) August 5, 2024
Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II expressed deep sympathy for the affected families, stating, “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.”
Courtney Knichel, General Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, shared the organization’s condolences and announced the cancellation of Saturday’s game and activities. “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,” Knichel said. The team is also providing counseling and support for those affected.
The South Potomac Church acknowledged Declan’s passing, as his grandparents are members of the church. In a heartfelt statement on Facebook, the church said, “As some of you may already know, Elder Bill and Kathleen Young’s grandson, Declan, passed away from a very tragic accident at the Blue Crabs stadium on Friday night. We are heartbroken. Please pray for the Young Family and all of our SPC family. When one grieves, we all grieve.”
The La Plata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading organization also paid tribute to Declan, who was a member of their flag football team. They announced that the upcoming season would be dedicated to his memory. “The La Plata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization would like to take this time to mourn the loss of #9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team, who was taken far too soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium,” the statement read. They added that players would wear patches and decals in his honor.
Sadly, this isn’t the first tragic incident involving bounce houses this year. In May, a 2-year-old in Casa Grande, Arizona, was killed when a bounce house was similarly swept up by the wind.