Inflatable Slide Tips Over Tossing Kids Into Street
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Updated: 11:13 PM Oct 1, 2008
Inflatable Slide Tips Over Tossing Kids Into Street
A mother says her daughter's 10th birthday party turned into the most horrible day of her life after a rented 25 foot inflatable slide toppled over taking kids down with it
Posted: 10:27 PM Oct 1, 2008
Reporter: Mary Rinzel
Email Address: mary.rinzel@weau.com
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A mother says her daughter's 10th birthday party turned into the most horrible day of her life after a rented 25 foot inflatable slide toppled over taking kids down with it.

A bunch of kids ended up falling into the street and several had to go to the emergency room. Now, the kids say they're terrified and their parents want answers.

Nine-year-old Sean Hurt was at the top of the rented Titanic slide when it started to topple. So was 9-year-old Sarah Dachel.

"I hit my face on the sidewalk," Sean says, his black eye still visible under his blond bangs.

"I hurt my toe and knee," Sarah says quietly. "I looked down and the slide was tipping."

Both ended up leaving their friend's Bloomer birthday party early as their parents raced them to the emergency room.

Sarah's 11-year-old sister watched the slide fall and turned away so she wouldn't have to watch her sister crash to the ground.

"I heard all the screams. My sister's scream stood out and then it was crack, crack, crack as people hit the ground. It was really gross," says Katie Dachel.

The kids' moms say the aftermath was just as scary.

"It was mayhem,” Emily Dachel says. “Kids were sitting and laying everywhere and everyone was screaming and crying and clutching their heads."

The inflatable Titanic was rented from Rock n' Roll To Go Plus! Inc. out of Eau Claire. One of the company's employees was also hurt when the slide crashed down. Rock n' Roll To Go released this statement saying in part:

"While it is our understanding that the injuries sustained were relatively minor, we are nonetheless distressed by this occurrence as we have literally done thousands of these events without incident. Our hearts go out to the children and their families. We wish them a speedy recovery."

“It’s not something a parent is supposed to witness at all,” says Shelly Hurt, Sean’s mom. “You just stand there and know your kids are on it and there’s nothing you can do.”

"You trust these companies know what they're doing and that your children are safe on rides. Not only did it tip them over, but it dumped them into the street. If a car was coming this could've been a whole different story," Emily Dachel says.

"I just don't want to go on another one,” Sean says.

The woman who rented the slide says she wants her $2300 back and the emergency room expenses covered.

She says Rock n' Roll To Go was supposed to have five people on staff and there were only two at her daughter's party. The company says two employees is standard for the size party that it was.


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