Child dies after falling ailing at a Scottish trampoline centre

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A child has died after falling ill at a popular trampoline playground.

The youngster became unwell this morning while at Flip Out Glasgow, where families can enjoy attractions including trampolining, a bouncy castle, e-karting and laser quest.

An ambulance was called but despite the efforts of medics, the child was pronounced dead at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Police have said the child’s death was ‘unexplained’ but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed about the incident at the centre in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire.

Police in attendance at Flip Out in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on Sunday after a child died

The youngsters was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children (pictured) in Glasgow

One witness posted on social media that they had heard ‘hysterical screaming’ coming from a bouncy castle area at the centre shortly before emergency services were called at around 11am.

They said: ‘Something happened on the bouncy castle and just heard hysterical screaming and staff running everywhere.’

Customers were moved away from the area where the child had fallen ill and the site was later closed to the public.

A number of police cars remained at the scene yesterday afternoon.

One woman who said she had been there at the time of the tragedy, wrote: ‘We left at 12. I saw an ambulance and a first response car parked round the back.’

Another wrote: ‘We went for my nephew’s party. There were two ambulances multiple ambulances and 4+ police cars.’

The child was taken ill at the Flip Out trampoline centre (pictured) in Rutherglen, near Glasgow

Another said: ‘We were told that donut slide and bouncy castle were off limits but everything else was fine then they just shut building.’

Flip Out Glasgow said it was not yet clear when it would reopen and has asked customers who had pre-booked their sessions to get in touch to reschedule.

A statement on its social media pages said: ‘Flip Out Glasgow is closed today. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

‘Please keep an eye on our social media where we post updates on when we will be reopening.’

Other people who had been at Flip Out Glasgow, which has 34 trampolines and is described as the ‘ultimate indoor play centre’, said they had been unaware a tragedy had been unfolding.

One said: ‘I was here at this exact time. Didn’t know anything was going on. I’m a nurse and would have helped. Thoughts are with everyone involved.

Another said: ‘So sad, my daughter was there at the time. I feel so much for the parents and family.

‘It’s the last thing you expect on a family day out, so so sad.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Inquiries are ongoing after a child took unwell at a premises in Southcroft Road, Rutherglen, shortly before 11:00 on Sunday, 18 August 2024.

‘The child’s death is being treated as unexplained, although there are not thought be any suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The Health and Safety Executive has also been notified.’