A three-year-old child is fighting for life in Canada after a violent thunderstorm launched an inflatable bounce house into the air with children trapped inside. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at Ouellette Park in the LaSalle borough of Montreal.
Witnesses described seeing the inflatable house rise approximately 12 to 40 feet before crashing to the ground. Paramedics treated 11 people, with six hospitalised, including four adults and two children. The toddler remains in critical condition, according to Global News.
Witness Rosella Peluzzo recounted the sudden storm: 'All of a sudden, we see this dark cloud coming towards us. A lot of wind came towards here, chairs started flying, tables started flying. I see the inflated house, and it went up high.'
LaSalle Mayor Nancy Blanchet expressed deep sadness and offered support to the affected families. 'Our entire community is deeply shaken by this serious accident,' she said. 'Any necessary measures will be considered in light of the findings.'
Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area, cautioning of strong wind gusts and hail. The accident occurred a day before Canada's hurricane season officially begins, with forecasts of eight to 14 named storms.
