Two children were injured today after a dust devil lifted a jumping castle into the air, sending it airborne before crashing in a local intersection.
The Tucson Fire Department responded to the intersection of 11th Avenue and Speedway Boulevard at 2 p.m. today, where a jumping castle was on the median.
The jumping castle had flown over three lanes of traffic before crashing. Fire Department spokeswoman Trish Tracy said the jumping castle at one point was flying about 15 feet high in the air.
Two children, a boy and a girl, were in the jumping castle at the time. They both were transported to a local hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries.
The ages and names of the children were not immediately available.
This is the second jumping castle incident that has occurred in Pima County this year.
During a Marana birthday party in February, 9-year-old Alissa Baray suffered a concussion after the jumping castle she was in was propelled airborne and dropped her on a roof.
Fire department officials say that before signing a release for a jumping castle, parents should look at the equipment to ensure the anchor system is in place and that it is not worn.
Also, officials recommend deflating the jumping castle under windy conditions. A responsible adult should supervise at all times.
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