2-Year-Old Dies in Freak Accident After Wind Sweeps Away Bounce House in Arizona

2-Year-Old Dies in Freak Accident After Wind Sweeps Away Bounce House in Arizona
Police tape in a file photo. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Katabella Roberts
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One toddler died and another child sustained injuries following a freak accident in Pinal County, Arizona, on Saturday when an inflatable bounce house they were playing in was swept up into the air by strong winds before crashing into a neighbor’s backyard.

The incident took place at about 5 p.m. on Saturday at a residence in the city of Casa Grande, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

The 2-year-old boy, identified only as Bodhi, was rushed to a local hospital after sustaining injuries but was later pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.

A second child also sustained injuries from the incident and was taken to the hospital, although police described those injuries as non-life threatening. It was unclear as of Wednesday whether that child had been released from the hospital.

Although police believe the toddler’s death was the result of a “tragic accident,” they are still investigating the matter to determine what happened, officers with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the grieving family,” police said.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for further comment.

According to local television station KPHO, the parents of the two children involved in the incident are good friends and had come together in one backyard while their children enjoyed the bounce house.

‘Unimaginable Hell’

Phoenix Firehouse 25 in Arizona identified the parents of the toddler who died as a firefighter named Karl and his wife, Cristy.

In a post on Instagram, the fire station said the couple has been “an integral part of the Firehouse 25 family for many years including Rescue 25 and paramedic precepting.”

“To add to the unimaginable hell that they have been through the last 2 days, Karl and Cristy are expecting a child at the end of May,” the post said.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up for the couple to help “support and alleviate the financial burden” of the tragic death of their son and allow them to “focus on grieving their beloved Bodhi while also preparing for the new chapter in their lives.”

“Amidst their sorrow, they face the daunting task of preparing for the arrival of their newborn,” the page continues. “No contribution is too small, and your prayers are equally cherished. Let’s come together to surround Karl and Cristy with love, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.”

The page had a $100,000 target but had already raised over $107,000 as of Wednesday morning.

The incident on Saturday came after a wind advisory was issued for some parts of Arizona on Friday, with weather forecasters warning winds could reach up to 45 mph, according to KPHO.
However, conditions in Pinal County appeared to be relatively stable when the freak accident occurred, previous weather forecasts show.