A violent storm swept through a church gathering, lifting a bouncy castle into the air, according to paramedics.
A violent gust swept through a Montreal church gathering, sending a bouncy castle airborne and causing devastating harm to a young child, according to the provincial coroner's office on Tuesday.
Related ↗Prince George set for esteemed education at Eton.A party unfolded on a drizzly Sunday afternoon in Montreal's LaSalle borough, where partly cloudy skies cast a somber tone over the festivities.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for Montreal as of noon, prompting Environment Canada to issue a warning about impending strong gusts approximately 30 minutes before disaster struck LaSalle. According to Simon Legault, a government expert, the winds reached their maximum velocity at around 42 miles per hour.
Read next ↗Algae infestation prompts emergency response at Reflecting Pool.A bouncy castle was lifted by strong winds at a block party, causing a nearby tent to collapse, according to eyewitnesses who contacted Urgences-santé's emergency line.
A distress call brought emergency responders to a nearby park where a festive gathering was underway at the Madre Dei Cristiani church for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrations.
Emergency responders rushed to the location at approximately 4:35 p.m., just a few minutes following frantic 911 alerts.
According to eyewitness accounts, multiple individuals suffered injuries when a bouncy castle collapsed in Montreal. Four minors and seven adults required medical attention, with two being young children. A three-year-old girl ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
A spokesperson for the Quebec coroner's office has confirmed the tragic loss of a young life following a bouncy castle incident in Montreal. Coroner Martine Lachance will lead an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating event, with potential recommendations to mitigate future risks.
LaSalle residents are accustomed to knowing one another, whether through close relationships or acquaintanceship. The borough's mayor, Nancy Blanchet, expressed her sentiments on social media, acknowledging the collective distress following this tragic incident.
Airborne inflatables have claimed young lives in tragic incidents. A devastating event occurred in Maryland in 2024 when strong gusts lifted a bounce house approximately 15 to 20 feet high, resulting in the fatal injury of a 5-year-old boy. Consecutive years saw another similar fatality in Arizona involving a 2-year-old child.
