Bounce House Suddenly Takes Flight, Panic Erupts When People Look Inside

Alisha Rich

Several people at a local fair witnessed an inflatable bounce house get lifted up and blown nearly 500 feet by a gust of wind. Once the play area landed, panic quickly erupted when everyone looked inside.

Cara Blackie took her 7-year-old daughter, Summer Grant, to Harlow Town Park in Norwich, England for an Easter event when Summer asked to jump in the bounce house. Of course, the mother happily allowed her daughter to hop inside it, which would sadly turn into a decision she will forever regret.

Summer Grant (Image Source: Mirror)

Unfortunately, while Summer was inside the bounce castle, a gust of wind blew the house off the ground. The wind carried her and the house across the park. The inflatable castle flew above trailers and caravans, landing nearly 500 feet away on a hill far from where it was originally staked. It didn’t take long for people to realize that there was a child trapped inside the inflatable, and ambulance crews were immediately called.

When emergency personnel arrived, Summer was removed from the play place and transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital. Unfortunately, medical staff were unable to save the young girl, and she died as a result of her injuries.

“As far as we understand, and obviously an investigation is going on, the inflatable dome was caught by a gust of wind around 4pm,” Ray Smith, a representative of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, explained, according to Sky News. “And tragically a little girl in it was blown in the inflatable down the hill in the park and tragically died later.” He continued, “It was a freak gust of wind that caught everyone unawares. It actually pulled the safety stakes out of the ground. It’s so appalling that this little girl came to have a lovely day out with her family and lost her life.”

Emergency crews investigating the scene (Image Source: Sky News)

Police have since arrested “a 27-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence,” according to Fox News. Although the inflatable house was staked down, the duo failed to close the ride during the wind. Neither of the two have been identified, but it has been reported that they have since been released on bail.

Flowers left at the fair’s gate to honor Summer (Image Source: BBC)

“Summer was a bright beautiful and most loving little girl, it is so unfair that you have been taken, it just doesn’t make sense,” Cara Blackie, Summer’s mother, said. “I’m truly heartbroken.”

Several donations on JustGiving have been made to help support the young girl’s family. The crowdfunding page has already received over £3,600 ($5,100) of the £5,000 (approximately $7,125) goal. Summer’s father, Lee Grant, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I wanna truly thank everyone so much for helping my beautiful daughter have the send off she deserves.”

It’s heartbreaking when a child loses their life, but to pass away in a freak accident is absolutely devastating. We here at Mad World News send prayers for Summer’s family during this difficult time. Hopefully, they will receive some comfort and peace knowing she’s safe in God’s arms and they will see her again.