Nebraska boy, 2, killed after ‘tragic bounce pad incident,’ sheriff says
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 2-year-old boy in Nebraska died Thursday following a “tragic bounce pad incident” at a pumpkin patch, authorities said Friday.
Caleb Acuna, 2, and his sister Aura, 5, on Wednesday were visiting the bounce pad at JK’s Pumpkin Patch in Lincoln, Nebraska when it was picked up in the air by forceful winds, a news release from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Facebook said.
“Around 6:00 p.m., a strong gust of wind lifted the pad from the area it was staked down and overturned it,” the news release said. “Aura was thrown off the pad, however, Caleb remained on the pad as it tumbled and sustained a head injury.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The gust of wind behind the accident was clocked at about 59 mph, according to The Associated Press.
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Arra was hurled roughly 30 feet, but the bounce pad folded over on top of Caleb and carried him more than 100 feet, The Associated Press reported, citing the Lincoln Journal Star.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The two children were taken to Bryan Health West Campus, where it was determined that Aura had broken one of her arms, while Caleb “suffered a critical head injury,” the sheriff’s office said.
The 2-year-old boy was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon, the news release said.
“It's certainly a tragic situation,” Lancaster County Sheriff's Capt. Tom Brookhouser said. “The sheriff's office has never worked an incident like this in the 28 years I've been here.”
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JK’s Pumpkin Patch released a statement on their Facebook page saying their attorney had suggested they not “take any questions.”
“'OUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS & DEEPEST CONDOLENCES & SYMPATHIES ARE WITH THE THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME,” the statement said. “ITS BEEN AN EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL SITUATION FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AS WELL AS THE FAMILY OF THE LITTLE BOY. WE ARE CONTINUING TO LIFT THE FAMILY UP IN PRAYER. OUR LOVE AND CONTINUED PRAYERS, JKS PUMPKIN PATCH FAMILY.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Local officials ordered an autopsy be conducted on Caleb and an investigation into the incident is underway, the sheriff’s office said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.