In what had promised to be a fun Memorial Day celebration, a beachside event quickly turned into a tragedy when an on-shore waterspout lifted a bounce house into the air. Three children were inside at the time of the accident and fell to the ground from a height of 15 to 20 feet, sustaining injuries as a result.
According to observers, the storm picked up quickly and created a waterspout that was roughly 10 yards wide with wind speeds of about 65 to 85 mph. One man, the Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Rescue’s senior chaplain, said there was no time to react when the bounce house became airborne.
The three children inside were all under eight years old. They were taken to the hospital immediately after the accident, with one held overnight for observation and the two others released after being treated for minor injuries.
It is unclear whether the bounce house, which was provided for the day’s activities by the city, was properly secured at the time of the accident. After being lifted at least 50 feet into the air and traveling across four lanes of traffic, the bounce house finally landed in the parking lot of a hotel.
Bounce House Accidents are Nothing New
Unfortunately, it is not the first time such an accident has taken place. Other similar events have occurred throughout the country, including Arizona and New Hampshire. In both instances, the accidents were likely a result of bounce houses that were not properly attached to the ground.
Bounce house accidents are serious and many at the Fort Lauderdale Beach incident pointed out that the victims were lucky to have emerged with relatively minor injuries. It is clear, however, that measures should have been taken to remove the children from the structure when the storm first started.
In light of this accident, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with operating a bounce house. Regardless of the weather, bounce houses should always be properly secured at all times while in use and adult supervision is equally crucial to ensure the safety of the children.
For questions about this or similar incidents, we invite you to contact our office to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.