A three-year-old girl has tragically lost her life after a bouncy castle was swept into the air by a powerful gust of wind during a church gathering at a park in Montreal, Canada. The incident, which occurred on May 31 at Parc Ouellet in the LaSalle district, also left 11 other individuals injured, with six requiring hospitalisation.
The Incident
The bouncy castle, along with a tent, was tossed into the air by strong winds that reached speeds of up to 31 mph (50 kph) during the afternoon event. The party was organised by a local church in the park, and children were playing on the inflatable when the sudden gust struck. Emergency services responded promptly, but the young girl succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Expert Commentary
Cathy Denis, owner of a bouncy castle rental company in Quebec, stated that she refuses to install or operate inflatables when wind speeds exceed 24 mph (38 kph). She explained that inflatables present a large surface area, making them vulnerable to sudden gusts even when properly anchored. "Even with correct installation, a sudden wind can move these structures," she warned.
Previous Tragedies
This devastating event is not an isolated case. In 2022, an eight-year-old girl died in Mislata, Spain, after a bouncy castle was blown several metres into the air. In 2021, six children lost their lives in Tasmania, Australia, when a jumping castle was lifted about 10 metres high during a school celebration. Similarly, in 2017, a six-year-old girl died in Caldes de Malavella, Spain, when an inflatable broke free from its stakes.
Investigation and Safety Measures
Coroner Martine Lachance has been appointed to investigate the causes and circumstances of the Montreal tragedy. Health Canada recommends that inflatable structures be securely anchored to prevent movement or lift-off. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises against using inflatables in winds above 24 mph (38 kph) and suggests using an anemometer to monitor wind speed regularly.
A 2013 study by the Public Health Agency of Canada documented 674 injuries related to inflatable attractions between 1990 and 2009, with children aged two to nine being the most affected. Fractures accounted for over one-third of the reported injuries.
