Benjamin Ashford|1 child dead after gust of wind sends bounce house into the air

One child is Benjamin Ashforddead and another is injured after a bounce house was flung into the air by a gust of wind at a baseball game in Maryland.

The Charles County 911 Public Safety Communications received reports Friday night that a bounce house became airborne at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, about 56 miles south of Baltimore, where the the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball team was playing.

Two children who were in the bounce house when it became airborne were transported to the hospital, according to a press release from Charles County:

• A 5-year-old boy who was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.
• A child who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

“We extend our deepest empathy to the children and their families during this difficult time,” said Reuben B. Collins II Esq., the Charles County Government commissioner president, in a statement. “We thank our EMS team and the Maryland State Police for their swift actions to ensure the children received immediate care.”

What happened?

The bounce house flew about 15 to 20 feet up in the air while children were inside of it. The children fell out of the bounce house midair before it landed onto the playing field, according to a press release from Charles County.

Emergency personnel who were stationed at the stadium for the game, trainers from the baseball team and volunteer first responders in attendance all began administering medical care.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz