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  • The US Sun

    Maryland bounce house victim Declan Hicks, 5, pictured after inflatable flies 20ft in air & slams to ground killing him

    By Olivia Salamone,

    13 hours ago

    A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy had tragically died after strong winds lifted an inflatable bounce house 20 feet into the air and slammed it on the ground of an active baseball game.

    The horrific incident that killed Declan Hicks, 5, happened on Friday at around 9:12 in Waldorf, Charles County in Maryland — about 40 miles southwest of Annapolis.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0wXYlQ_0uo7lF4J00
    Declan Hicks, 5, died on Friday after the inflatable bounce house he was playing in flew 20 feet into the air and slammed into the ground
    gofundme
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16f9xF_0uo7lF4J00
    The bounce house landed in the Regency Furniture Stadium during a baseball game
    Marie Ragano /TMX
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Mbzyo_0uo7lF4J00
    Medical professionals stationed at the game raced over to help
    Marie Ragano /TMX

    Declan and other children were playing in the inflatable that was set up at Regency Furniture Stadium before it was lifted into the air, according to the Charles County Police .

    A gust of wind picked up the bounce house and it flew 20 ft into the air before it slammed onto the baseball field during a game between the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and the Pensylanvania York Revolution.

    The crowd was in shock as they watched the inflatable fly into the air as some children fell to the ground before it landed.

    The exact number of children inside the bounce house, when it was airborne, has not been released.

    Emergency and medical personnel who were already at the stadium as well as trainers raced to the inflatable and tried to help.

    Declan, from La Plata — 51 miles southwest of Annapolis — was airlifted to the National Children’s Hospital , but was later pronounced dead, per police.

    Another child was also flown to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

    Images from the baseball game showed the multi-colored inflatable upside down on a dirt patch near the side of the field.

    Witnesses said the bounce house was secured with stakes in the ground, they told NBC affiliate WRC-TV.

    Per weather reports on Friday, severe stormy conditions were expected in the area with strong winds, lightning, and rain.

    ‘A DINOSAUR LOVER’

    Following the tragic accident, a GoFundMe was created for the young boy.

    “It is said that being a parent is hard, but nothing is harder than losing a child, especially in something so innocent that no parent would expect,” it read in part.

    “That day family, friends, and the world lost a dinosaur lover, ninja turtle fan, and crazy sock-wearing (with boots!) 5-year-old, Declan Hicks.”

    It added, “He was a very special little boy who brought light and laughter to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. To know him was to love him.

    Declan Hicks GoFundMe statement

    Declan Hicks, 5, was killed on Friday after a inflatable bounce house flew 20 feet into the air and slammed into the field of an active baseball game in Maryland.

    “As many of you know, a horrible tragedy occurred at the Blue Crabs stadium this past Friday.

    “It is said that being a parent is hard, but nothing is harder than losing a child, especially in something so innocent that no parent would expect. That day family, friends, and the world lost a dinosaur lover, ninja turtle fan, and crazy sock-wearing (with boots!) 5-year-old, Declan Hicks.

    “Declan was a part of the Blessed Lambs Preschool family for 3 years. He was a very special little boy who brought light and laughter to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. To know him was to love him.

    “He was a great friend, and a fan favorite in his 4-year-old classroom, not just with other children but with his teachers. Our heart aches for his family and our school family.

    “We know that no money can bring back this wonderful little life but hope to help his family navigate through this difficult time.

    “Declan was not just a son but a brother and loved so much by his family. We know that surrounding them with love and support during this time would be greatly appreciated.”

    “He was a great friend, and a fan favorite in his 4-year-old classroom, not just with other children but with his teachers. Our heart aches for his family and our school family.”

    The LaPlata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization spoke about the tragedy and said it would be dedicating its fall season to Declan.

    “[We] 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,” they wrote on Facebook .

    “We offer our sincerest condolences to his parents, family, friends, coaches and teammates.”

    The general manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Courtney Knichel, also shared a statement.

    “Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family mourning the loss of a child and our concern for the child who was injured,” she said.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”

    The Maryland Blue Crabs team is also offering counseling to families, players, and fans.

    They also canceled their following game in honor of the victims.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2zaKyz_0uo7lF4J00
    Declan was rushed by helicopter to a nearby children’s hospital where he was pronounced dead
    Marie Ragano /TMX
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0XVjcI_0uo7lF4J00
    Other children also fell from the inflatable while it was in the air
    Marie Ragano /TMX
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