A three-year-old girl has died of her injuries after she was blown away in a bouncy castle in Montreal’s LaSalle borough on Sunday afternoon, when the winds were high.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Quebec’s coroner’s office confirmed the child had died in a statement Tuesday.<\/p>\n
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and all those affected,” wrote spokesperson Jake Lamotta Granato.<\/p>\n
In total, 11 people \u2014 seven adults and four children \u2014 were injured during the incident, according to an Urgences-sant\u00e9 spokesperson. Of those, six were transported to hospital Sunday.<\/p>\n
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. in Ouellette Park, where the Madre Dei Cristiani Church was holding a community party.<\/p>\n
Gusts of wind of 50 km\/h were reported around that time by Environment Canada.<\/p>\n
The bouncy castle was reportedly picked up and thrown several metres away by the wind.<\/p>\n
Condolences, police investigation<\/p>\n
In a statement sent out Monday morning, the borough mayor of LaSalle, Nancy Blanchet, said she is looking into the incident and extended support to the affected families.<\/p>\n
“Our entire community is deeply shaken by this serious accident,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, both the mayor of Montreal and Quebec Premier Christine Fr\u00e9chette extended their condolences to the toddler’s family and loved ones.<\/p>\n
“No parent should ever have to endure the loss of a child,” Fr\u00e9chette wrote in a social media post, expressing her profound sadness.<\/p>\n
“My thoughts also go out to the LaSalle community, Mayor Nancy Blanchet, the first responders, as well as the entire medical staff who were called upon to intervene.”<\/p>\n
Coroner Martine Lachance has been appointed to investigate the causes and circumstances surrounding the child’s death.<\/p>\n
Following the investigation, the coroner may issue recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths in similar conditions.<\/p>\n
Montreal police confirmed on Tuesday they have also launched their own investigation and will review if safety measures were properly followed.<\/p>\n
Injuries linked to inflatable structures<\/p>\n
Health Canada advises operators of inflatable structures to securely anchor them to the ground to prevent them from moving, tipping over or lifting into the air.<\/p>\n