The 5-year-old boy killed when a bounce house at a Maryland baseball game flew into the air over the weekend was remembered as a great friend “who brought light and laughter to everyone.”
Declan Hicks was inside the moon bounce at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game around 9:20 p.m. Friday when a strong wind gust sent the inflatable structure 15 to 20 feet into the air before it crashed onto the field during the minor league game.
Hicks, who is from La Plata, suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted by Maryland State Police to Children’s Hospital, where he died. A second child sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident.
“He was a great friend, and a fan favorite in his 4-year-old classroom, not just with other children but with his teachers. Our heart aches for his family and our school family,” said a fundraiser set up by someone connected to Hicks’ preschool.
Hicks loved dinosaurs, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and wearing crazy socks, according to the fundraiser that has collected over $13,500 by early Monday.
“We know that no money can bring back this wonderful little life but hope to help his family navigate through this difficult time,” it added.
“Declan was not just a son but a brother and loved so much by his family. We know that surrounding them with love and support during this time would be greatly appreciated.”
The youngster’s flag football team canceled its game Saturday — and said it was dedicating the upcoming season to him, with players wearing a patch with his number on their helmets.
“The LaPlata Blue Knights Football and Cheerleading Organization would like to take this time to mourn the loss of #9 Declan Hicks, a member of our flag football team, who was taken far to soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium,” the team wrote “in loving memory” in a Sunday Facebook post.
