A 5-year-old boy who died when a bounce house flew into the air at a Maryland baseball game over the weekend is being remembered as a great friend who “brought light and laughter to everyone.”
Declan Hicks was inside the Moonbounce at a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game around 9:20 p.m. on Friday when high winds blew the inflatable structure 15 to 20 feet into the air and it crashed onto the field during a minor league game.
Hicks, of La Plata, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by helicopter by Maryland State Police to Children’s Hospital, where she later died. A second child also suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the incident.
“He was a great friend and popular with the other children and teachers in his four-year-old class. Our hearts break for his family and his school family,” said a fundraiser set up by officials at Hicks’ preschool.
According to a fundraiser that had raised more than $13,500 by early Monday morning, Hicks loved dinosaurs, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and wearing crazy socks.
“We know that no amount of money can bring back this amazing little life, but we hope we can help his family get through this difficult time,” he added.
“Declan was more than just a son, he was a brother and was very much loved by his family. We know that surrounding them with love and support during this time will be so much appreciated.”
The youth flag football team canceled its game Saturday and announced that players would dedicate the upcoming season to him by wearing patches with his uniform number on their helmets.
“The La Plata Blue Knights Football & Cheerleading organization mourns the loss of No. 9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team who was taken far too soon following an incident that occurred on Friday at Blue Crabs Stadium,” the team wrote in a Facebook post Sunday, “lovingly remembered.”
