Boy (7) dies after windstorm blows bouncy castle into the air: “Jeanke was a talented footballer and great friend” | Region

During a football tournament in Hamme, East Flanders, 7-year-old Jean was killed in an accident with a bouncy castle on Saturday around 4 p.m. According to the initial findings of the public prosecutor’s office, the bouncy castle was blown into the air by a tornado, causing several children to fall. Jean was taken to Ghent University Hospital in a critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries later that evening. Three other children were also injured. Mayor Lotte Peeters (N-VA) reacts deeply: “It must be investigated who is responsible and whether mistakes have been made.”

The accident happened during the Youth Cup, a football tournament where side entertainment was also present. Children could also play on a bouncy castle. But that’s where things went completely wrong on Saturday. According to the public prosecutor’s initial findings, the bouncy castle was blown into the air by a tornado – although it has yet to be confirmed whether it was actually a tornado – after which several children fell. 7-year-old Jean suffered life-threatening injuries after crashing into a fence. He later died in hospital. According to the prosecutor’s office, three other children were also injured. It is also being investigated whether the bouncy castle was anchored according to the rules. An expert arrived on site on Saturday.

“What should have been a great day for our club was unfortunately completely overshadowed,” the VW Hamme board responded emotionally. “Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and team of our friend who fought so hard.”

Peter De Vylder, general manager of Vigor Wuitens Hamme, reacts heavily to the drama during the Youth Cup. “Fortunately, the emergency services were already present at the event,” he says. “In addition, parents with a medical background also helped immediately.”

De Vylder speaks of a particularly tragic event. “As a club, you hope that something like this never happens to you. What should have been a great celebration ended in a tragedy with a huge impact on everyone involved.” The club has now decided to stop all youth events for the coming week.

Jean was a member of football club SK Wambeek-Ternat. They also react in defeat: “We heard the news about Jean (U8) with deep sadness. It is difficult to understand that someone so young and full of life has left us. Jeanke was not only a talented player, but above all a great friend, always full of enthusiasm and with a smile on his face. We will never forget the joy he shared. Our thoughts are with the parents, his brother Louis (U10), family and friends in this difficult time.”

Jean was present at the tournament in Hamme on Saturday because his brother Louis played there with the U10 of Wambeek-Ternat. He himself was not supposed to play football there, as he had already played another tournament in the morning. This is what Deborah Stoffels, integrity contact person at the club, tells us. “The precise circumstances of the accident are not yet clear. The investigation is still ongoing,” she says.

In the meantime, the club is doing everything it can to accommodate Jean and Louis’ teammates as best as possible, with support from the federation. “We are already planning a time with all our teammates on Monday,” says Stoffels. In the meantime, a communication about Jean’s death was also sent to all members of the club.

It is not yet clear whether the boy’s parents were present at the tournament. “We at the club have tried to contact the parents, but so far we have not received an answer,” Stoffels says. “I am a headmistress in a school myself, so I assume that this also came as a blow to Jean’s school.”

Jos Donvil, chairman of SK Wambeek-Ternat, also reacts deeply. “It was a tragic accident,” he said. “According to what I have heard, the bouncy castle may have hit a pole due to a gust of wind, although I am not completely certain about that yet.”

In the meantime, the club is doing everything it can to provide the necessary support to the affected teammates and those involved. “We will also organize a memorial event early next week,” Donvil said.

The drama hit particularly hard for the trainers present. “They administered first aid to him. Afterwards, he was taken to the hospital under police escort. From what I have heard, he was resuscitated several times along the way.”

“The public prosecutor’s office has been appointed and is currently conducting an investigation into exactly how the accident could have happened,” says Mayor Peeters. “It must be investigated who is responsible and whether mistakes have been made, but I cannot make any statements about this as long as the investigation is ongoing.”

According to the mayor, other children were also injured in the incident. “There were other children on the bouncy castle and they and their parents drove to the hospital on their own for minor injuries. We have not heard anything about them either, so we assume that their injuries are minor.”

While the investigation into the precise circumstances is still ongoing, previous inspections by the FPS Economy show that many bouncy castle events do not comply with the safety regulations. The checks took place at events, neighborhood parties, sports days and bouncy castle camps. The FPS Economy inspected fifteen bouncy castle events in one year. Violations were found in eight of these, five even had to be stopped immediately.

In the meantime, the municipality also wants to look at how those involved can be supported. “On behalf of the municipality, we have offered to meet with the club tomorrow to see how we can best support them,” said Peeters. “Ultimately, there were many attendees and players from the club who will be devastated when they hear the news of the boy’s death. I suspect that the board will also meet today to consider how they can best assist players and supporters.”

The mayor also admits that the drama affects her personally. “I slept very poorly last night. I am the mother of two toddlers myself, so this news hits home hard. My thoughts are with everyone involved in this incident.”

Berdien Van Den Abeele, mayor of Liedekerke, also reacts to the tragic news. “I was informed this morning by Ines Swaelens, the mayor of Ternat,” she says. “I do not know the family personally, but we will look at how we as a municipality can provide the family with the necessary support after this tragic accident.”

Voetbal Vlaanderen has now announced that it is offering psychological support to the clubs involved. “We have heard the tragic news. That is of course terrible for everyone involved,” says spokesperson Nand De Klerck.

According to De Klerck, Voetbal Vlaanderen has a collaboration with the network of trauma psychologists Pobos. “When very impactful things happen at clubs, such as inappropriate behavior but also tragedies like this, we offer support in the form of group sessions with recognized trauma psychologists. They come to the club and speak to the people who need it. Voetbal Vlaanderen covers those costs.”

“You should not underestimate the impact of such a drama on a club operation and on everyone involved,” he added. “We have already contacted both clubs.”

The Youth Cup matches in Hamme will continue today, although in a sober atmosphere after the tragic accident. According to Mayor Lotte Peeters, players will wear a mourning band and a minute’s silence will be held in memory of Jean.

The municipality, together with social services, also provides psychological support for parents, children and other attendees who experienced Saturday’s tragedy. A first reception moment for adults will be organized at 3 p.m., followed by a separate listening moment for children at 4:30 p.m.

“This will be hard for a lot of people,” he said. “That is why we want to provide social support for everyone who needs it.”