Tot in important situation as ‘sudden’ storm lifts bouncy fortress 12ft off the bottom
Violent winds have left a child, 3, in a critical ill state after the bouncy castle they were on was hurled into the air. Chairs and tables were also launched into the sky during the church event
One toddler is currently in critical condition(Image: CTV News)
A three-year-old tot has been left in a critical ill condition after a brutal storm sent a bouncy castle flying before it came crashing back down to earth.
The horrific incident took place after “sudden” thunderstorm hurled the bouncy house into the air with children on it at a church gathering in the Greater Montreal area, Canada. Police received the emergency call at around 4.25pm on Sunday afternoon, rushing to a park in the LaSalle borough.
Local officials believe the bouncy castle was raised around 12ft into the air from the violent weather. Paramedics said they evaluated 11 people at the scene. Six people were taken to the hospital from the scene, two of them being children. Witness Rosella Peluzzo spoke for the disturbing events and said they watched the inflatable house fly into the sky.
Peluzzo stated: “All of a sudden, we see this dark cloud coming towards us. A lot of wind came towards here, chairs started flying, tables started flying. I see the inflated house, and it went up high… It was just turning up in the air.”
The witness added: “They were hurt, and I know that they were all sent to the Children’s Hospital.”
The LaSalle Mayor, Nancy Blanchet, has expressed her concern over the incident and issued a heartfelt statement to those effected. The Mayor said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident that occurred late [Sunday] afternoon during a family gathering at Ouellette Park.”
Nancy Blanchet stated investigators are currently looking into what happened, she added: “Any necessary measures will be considered.” The mayor said: “Our entire community is deeply shaken by this serious accident. Please know that the safety of the public, particularly that of children, remains a priority.”
Canada’s Environment and Climate Change agency has issued a number of severe thunderstorm warnings for the city of Montreal and surrounding areas. The agency stated: “Take immediate cover if a thunderstorm approaches. If outside, protect yourself from flying debris and hail.”
The tragic development comes after the death of a boy, 7, who was flung into the air by a powerful gust of wind. Jean Kylian Essombe, an enthusiastic footballer, was thrown across a field in Hamme, Belgium, when a sudden gust of wind sent the inflatable he was on airborne, and the young boy collided with a fence, sustaining critical injuries .
Emergency services hurried to administer aid at the scene before he was transported to AZ Sint-Blasius hospital and later to UZ Gent medical facility. Tragically, Jean passed away just hours later despite doctors’ efforts to save him. Three other children were also hurt and were taken to hospital for examination during the incident.
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