The two young children injured Monday when the inflatable bounce house they were playing in became airborne are still in stable condition at Albany Medical Center, South Glens Falls police said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office Wednesday issued a safety alert for inflatable toys after Monday’s accident outside 22 Ferry Blvd. made national news.
A freak gust of wind lifted the bounce house 15 to 20 feet off the ground, dumping out the three children inside and seriously injuring two of them.
A 10-year-old girl suffered minor injuries after falling a short distance as the toy was first lifting off the ground, according to a relative who witnessed the accident. Two boys, ages 5 and 6, suffered more serious injuries after falling from a greater height.
The Post-Star of Glens Falls reported that one youth suffered a serious head injury and is in a medically induced coma, while the other had two broken arms, a broken jaw, an eye socket fracture and a possible ruptured spleen. The two injured boys have not been identified by authorities.
The toy landed more than a mile away, at a middle school.
South Glens Falls Police Chief Kevin Judd said the investigation continues, but there is no evidence of any negligence or malfeasance on the part of anyone.
“It’s an accident — a tragic one,” said Judd, adding his office still wants to interview a few more witnesses. “It was a just a freak gust of wind. [The toy] is a kite once it’s turned upside down.”
Taylor Seymour, a witness, said the wind gust “looked like a little tornado” and reported the toy spun into the air.
Gov Cuomo weighed in on the accident.
“As a parent, I know firsthand the importance of protecting our children,” he said in a statement. “As this week’s tragic incident in the Capital District demonstrates, inflatable toy houses can become dangerous when not secured properly. I urge all parents to exercise caution when installing these devices, carefully follow the instructions and keep kids off them on windy days.”
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
