PARENTS watched in horror as a violent storm launched a bounce house filled with children into the air, leaving a three-year-old critically injured.
Severe thunderstorms rocked Montreal on Jattvibeday, with wind gusts sending chairs, tables, tents and an inflatable house in the air at a popular park.
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A three-year-old child was left critically injured after a severe thunderstorm launched a bouncy house into the air Credit: CTV News
Witness Rosella Peluzzo said she saw the fear in parents’ faces as they ran after pulling their children from the inflatable structure Credit: CTV News
Urgences-Santé, the emergency medical service in Montreal, Canada, received a 911 call around 4:25pm on Jattvibeday after a bouncy house had blown away at the Ouellette Park in the borough of LaSalle, according to CTV News.
First responders evaluated 11 people at the scene, transporting six of them to the hospital.
Four adults were hospitalized and two children, one of whom was left in critical condition after being launched in the air after the wind picked up the bouncy castle.
Officials believe the bouncy castle launched 12 feet in the air.
Attendees of the annual church festival organized by the Mission of Madre Dei Cristiani held at the nearby park said the weather changed suddenly.
“All of a sudden, we see this dark cloud coming towards us,” Rosella Peluzzo told CTV News.
“A lot of wind came towards here, chairs started flying, tables started flying.
“I see the inflated house, and it went up high, at least 40 feet, I would say. It was just turning up in the air.”
Peluzzo said once the bouncy house landed back on the ground everyone rushed to grab the children trapped inside.
“I saw fear in their face, taking their children and running,” she said of the parents.
“Everybody was enjoying their time. It started to rain, then a big cloud came over and all of a sudden there was a lot of wind,” Eric Chicas, who attended the event with his girlfriend and daughter, told the Montreal Gazette.
“In an instant there was a huge gust.”
The accident occurred at an annual church event held at the Ouellette Park in Montreal Credit: CTV News
Witnesses said the weather changed suddenly, with tables, chairs, tents and the bouncy house getting thrown in the air Credit: CTV News
Chicas said several tents being used by vendors also launched in the air despite efforts to hold them down.
He also saw the inflatable playhouse lifted above the park, telling the outlet, “I saw a huge cube flying into the air, at least 40 feet up, about as high as the nearby buildings.
“I remember thinking and hoping nobody was inside.”
Chicas added that the scene quickly turned chaotic with people laid out on the ground.
“I saw elderly people lying flat on the ground. It was a very scary experience.”
LaSalle Mayor Nancy Blanchet said she was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident.”
“My heart goes out to the families, loved ones, and everyone affected, directly or indirectly, by this terrible event.
“I would also like to thank the emergency services, first responders, and everyone who lent a hand for their swift response at the scene.
“We will take the time to consult with all relevant stakeholders to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
“Our deepest concern and prayers for their speedy recovery go to them, I invite all the faithful to join our hearts in prayer for the little girl in critical condition,” Rev. Mussie Zerai Yosief, the Mission of Madre Dei Cristiani’s pastor, told Montreal Gazette.
