A 5-year-old boy died after a bounce house tragedy at Blue Crabs Stadium in Waldorf

WALDORF, Md. — Charles County Fire personnel responded Friday, around 9:21 p.m., to an urgent call from the Regency Furniture Stadium during a Maryland Blue Crabs game for a report of a moon bounce that became airborne due to a wind gust while children were inside of it. 

Authorities indicated the moon bounce was carried around 15 to 20 feet up in the air, and that caused children to fall before it landed on the field. 

In due course, Charles County Fire and Ems teams began patient care, and that was when they reported 5-year-old Declan Hicks who sustained life-threatening injuries. This pediatric patient, from La Plata, was then flown to the National Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Charles County Fire and Ems personnel stated a second minor, with non-life-threatening injuries, was also flown to the mentioned hospital. 

“We extend our deepest empathy to the children and their families during this difficult time,” said Charles County Government Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. “

As this tragedy unfolds, Courtney Knichel, General Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, stated, “Our entire organization shares our condolences with the family mourning the loss of a child and our concern for the child who was injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.”

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs cancelled Saturday night's game in honor of the victims and their families. 

The LaPlata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization issued a statement following Hicks passing. 

"The LaPlata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization would like to take this time to mourn the loss of #9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team, who was taken far to soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium. We offer our sincerest condolences to his parents, family, friends, coaches and teammates.

The LaPlata Blue Knights will be dedicating this up coming fall season, to the memory of Declan. All flag players and cheerleaders will wear a patch and all tackle football players will have his number on their helmets. We are extremely thankful that each team in SMYAC has offered to honor Declan by having their players wear his number, as well.

Always in our hearts and forever a Blue Knight, rest in honor Declan."

A 2022 study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society and conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia looked at the prevalence of wind-related injuries and deaths in inflatable bounce houses worldwide. In the U.S., the researchers identified at least 209 reports of injuries and three deaths between 2000 and 2021. Worldwide, they identified at least 479 injuries and at least 28 deaths.