Girl dies after high winds sweeps bouncy castle away - two people arrested

A young girl has died after a bouncy castle at the Easter fair in Harlow, Essex was swept 150 metres across a busy park in high winds.
The girl, who is thought to be aged seven, was treated by ambulance crews and the Herts and Essex air ambulance as she was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital, but she later died of her injuries. Police have arrested two people on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence following the incident in Harlow Town Park in Essex on Saturday. Ray Smith, a spokesman for the Showmans Guild of Great Britain, said: "It was a sudden gust. Had it been a consistent wind they would have closed down all the inflatables."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/12205157/Girl-dies-after-high-winds-sweeps-bouncy-castle-away-two-people-arrested.html


Poor little girl

Terri Rickards, a Harlow mother who was at the park, described the scene on Facebook.

She said: "This is just devastating news. My two little ones were there today, both under the ages of five.

"We did not allow them on this bouncy castle as it just didn't look safe. The winds were just far too strong! I can't believe what I'm reading, such sad news. RIP little one."

I'm sure that will make the parents feel a whole lot better.

I remember reading of a similar tragedy years ago, since then whenever I see one of these portable inflatables I look at the anchorings and pray they are safe.
Unfortunately once more human error causes a devastating tragedy that could have been prevented.

How absolutely tragic.

If the bouncy had been anchored securely it may not have happened.

So tragic, I hate these stories.

I shot a hundred today in very high winds and it affected the clays flight the worst I have personally encountered.