Two tragic incidents occurred in Arizona over the weekend involving bounce houses and strong winds, resulting in the death of a 2-year-old boy and injuries to another child. The accidents took place on Saturday in Casa Grande, a city located roughly halfway between Phoenix and Tucson.
According to reports from multiple sources, including The Arizona Republic and NBC News, several children were playing inside a bounce house when a sudden gust of wind lifted the inflatable structure into the air and carried it over to a neighboring lot. One child, identified as Bodhi in some reports, was transported to the hospital but later pronounced dead. Another child sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The parents of the deceased child have been identified as Karl and Cristy, with Karl being a firefighter in Phoenix. The couple is expecting their second child at the end of May.
Bounce houses have been known to pose safety hazards when they are lifted by winds or blown over. A 2022 study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society found that there have been at least 479 injuries and 28 deaths related to bounce houses and wind between 2000 and 2021.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office expressed its condolences to the grieving family, stating that it was a tragic accident. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In light of these incidents, it is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the potential dangers posed by bounce houses in windy conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure children's safety.
