Police said a 2-year-old Nebraska boy died a day after a wind gust made the bounce pillow he was in go airborne—resulting in him suffering serious head injuries that proved fatal.
The Omaha World-Herald reported that the Acuna family was attending a private event Wednesday at JK’s Pumpkin Patch when tragedy struck. Caleb and his sister Gabriella, 5, were on the bounce pad at 6 p.m. when a gust ripped it from its anchors and took to the air.
Police said in a statement that Gabriella was thrown off the pad and suffered a broken arm while Caleb remained on the platform and was violently tossed around. The toddler sustained a “critical head injury” and was taken off a respirator Friday morning after being pronounced dead at 12:45 pm Thursday, they said.
WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY OUR ATTORNEY NOT TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.'OUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS & DEEPEST CONDOLENCES &…
Posted by JK'S Pumpkin Patch on Friday, October 5, 2018
The Weather Channel reported that gusts near Lincoln reached about 59 miles per hour on the day in question. Another bounce structure went airborne from the same wind gust but caused to injuries, the news station reported.
Raymond Fire Safety Officer Nick Monnier went on to tell the World-Herald that Gabriella was thrown approximately 30 feet while Caleb was trapped in the pad for about 100 feet.
Reports indicated that the pumpkin-shaped pad was JK’s Pumpkin Patch’s newest attraction this year. The company took to Facebook Friday to mourn the toddler’s death and to announce that they won’t be taking any questions from the public at this time.
Police said they’ve ordered an autopsy as they conduct their investigation.
“It’s certainly a tragic situation,” Lancaster County Sheriff’s Captain Tom Brookhouser told The Weather Channel. “The sheriff’s office has never worked an incident like this in the 28 years I’ve been here.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, staff members, first responders, and medical professionals involved in this tragic incident. pic.twitter.com/lWC3LnDAGi
— Lancaster County Sheriff Nebraska (@LSOnebraska) October 5, 2018
[Featured Image: Acuna family/GoFundMe]
