The ‘dinosaur-loving’ five-year-old boy who died after strong winds lifted the bouncy castle he was playing on 20ft into the air before launching it into a baseball stadium has been pictured.
The tragic incident took place around 9:12 p.m. Friday after the inflatable filled with children crashed into a field during a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game in Waldorf, Charles County.
The bouncy castle had been set up for children’s entertainment at Regency Furniture Stadium, but in a bizarre turn of events, a gust of wind blew it skyward and over a wall before dropping it onto the field mid-game.
Local emergency services were already stationed at the game and, along with coaches and medical staff, were able to reach the scene immediately.
Five-year-old Declan Hicks of La Plata was flown by helicopter to a children’s hospital but was later pronounced dead, the county said. Another child was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Five-year-old Declan Hicks, from La Plata, was pictured after he died on Friday night when a bouncy castle he was playing on was launched 20 feet into the air by a gust of wind and dumped onto a baseball field.
The tragic incident took place on Friday after the inflatable filled with children crashed in a field in Waldorf, Charles County.
The accident occurred at Regency Furniture Stadium, where families had gathered to watch the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs play.
After his death, a GoFundMe It was created in memory of the young man in an attempt to support his distraught family.
‘They say parenting is hard, but nothing is harder than losing a child, especially something so innocent that no parent would expect.
“On that day, family, friends and the world lost a dinosaur-loving, Ninja Turtle-fanatic, sock-crazy 5-year-old boy (with boots!), Declan Hicks,” the heartbreaking post read.
‘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 all who had the pleasure of knowing him. To know him was to love him.
“He was a great friend and a favorite of the children in his class when he was 4 years old, not only with other children but also with his teachers. Our hearts go out to his family and to our school family.
We know that no amount of money can bring back this wonderful life, but we hope to help your family get through this difficult time.
“Declan was not just a son, but a brother, and his family loved him dearly. We know it would be invaluable to surround them with love and support during this time.”
The La Plata Blue Knights football and cheerleading organization also took to Facebook to pay tribute to the member of its flag football team.
“We would like to take this time to mourn the loss of #9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team, who passed away too soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium,” they wrote.
‘We offer our sincere condolences to his parents, family, friends, coaches and teammates.
A GoFundMe page in the boy’s honor said: “He was a very special little boy who brought light and laughter to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
The bouncy castle could be seen overturned and upside down after the accident.
The Blue Crabs have cancelled their upcoming game and are offering counseling to devastated families.
The LaPlata Blue Knights will dedicate the upcoming fall season to Declan’s memory. All flag players and cheerleaders will wear a patch and all football players will have his number on their helmets.
‘We are extremely grateful that each SMYAC team has offered to honor Declan by having their players wear his number as well.
‘Always in our hearts and forever a Blue Knight, rest in honor Declan.’
The Blue Crabs have canceled their upcoming game and are offering counseling to devastated families.
Courtney Knichel, general manager of Blue Crabs, said, “Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family grieving the loss of a child and concern for the child who was injured.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them all,” he added.
Footage of the incident captured the deflated and upside-down bouncy castle on the baseball field as shocked players and spectators gathered to comprehend what had happened.
Witnesses said the inflatable had been secured with stakes driven into the ground, according to NBC Washington.
In a statement, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs CEO Courtney Knichel said the team “shares our condolences with the family who is grieving the loss of a child and our concern for the child who was injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.”
Bounce houses cause many injuries each year, with at least 28 deaths and 479 injuries due to wind-related bounce house accidents between 2021 and 2022, according to a study from the University of Georgia.
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