Five-year-old Declan Hicks is being remembered as a great friend who “brought light and laughter to everyone” after he passed away when a bounce house at a Maryland baseball game was lifted into the air by a strong wind gust.
The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. Friday during a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game. Hicks, from La Plata, suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Children’s Hospital, where he later died. Another child sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the New York Post.
“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 Declan’s preschool.
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The little boy, who loved dinosaurs, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and wearing crazy socks, was remembered in the fundraiser that had raised 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.”
Hicks’ flag football team canceled their game on Saturday and announced they will dedicate the upcoming season to him, with players wearing a patch bearing 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 too soon as a result of Friday’s incident at Blue Crabs Stadium,” the team wrote “in loving memory” in a Sunday Facebook post.
