Family and friends of a 9-year-old girl who was trapped in a bounce house as it blew into power lines are mourning a terrible loss. Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hammond from Reno, Nevada, died on Sunday, July 14, in the bizarre accident. Two other young survivors were with Hammond when the bounce house blew away. Last Friday, 200 members of the girl's community remembered her with a spirit walk at the hospital where her organs were later retrieved and donated to save other lives.
Hammond had been playing in the bounce house when a gust of wind sent it flying 10 feet in the air before colliding with a power line.
Despite being secured to the ground, authorities said it was a strong gust of wind that blew the bounce house 10 feet in the air with Hammond and two other children inside, KOLO TV reported. It happened around 4 p.m. The bounce house then flew into nearby power lines, which is when the local fire department was called and rushed to the scene.
Two of the children were treated for their injuries on the scene, but Hammond wouldn't prove to be as fortunate.
People reported that the girl's injuries were significant and she was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The Associated Press noted that the girl's family issued a statement confirming her death on Friday, and also thanked first responders and law enforcement for their help.
There aren't many details from what happened during Hammond's accident, but it is known that emergency crews did direct NV Energy to shut off power in the area, which caused a power outage for 3,000 customers for about two hours. Washoe County Sheriffâs spokesman Bob Harmon explained that the case in still being investigated.
On Friday, more than 200 people -- including the rescue team that attempted to save Hammond's life -- gathered for an Honor Walk.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Renown Regional Medical Center on Friday, July 19, to celebrate Hammond's life, KOLO TV reported. Attendees included Nevada's Army National Guard, REMSA, staff from the local police force, hospital staff, and local nonprofit workers. The procession watched as the young girl was moved from the fourth floor Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to the an operating room where her organs were then retrieved and donated.
âWe are truly heartbroken for the family,â Sheriff Darin Balaam told AP*.* âI speak on behalf of every deputy, firefighter, trooper, dispatcher, and medic who responded to this incident, as well as all area first responders when I say to the family âour prayers are with you, our thoughts are with you and we are here to help in any way that we can.ââ
And a statement from the girl's family spoke plainly of their heartbreak. "Our precious Lizzy was a beautiful, intelligent, silly, vibrant little girl who was full of life," read a statement given to KOLO TV. "She was an active volunteer in the local community where she enjoyed feeding the homeless, shopping with the Sheriff, building care packages for local soldiers deployed overseas and providing school supplies to less-fortunate children in the area. Lizzy was a confirmed Catholic and an active member of her church, St. Alberts."
The statement added that Hammond "loved all first responders."Â
"She was extremely patriotic and wholeheartedly supported the U.S. military, as well as her local police, sheriff, and fire departments," the statement continued. "She was a warm, kind, and selfless girl who loved everyone and everything."
It noted that the donated organs will go on to help "upwards of 80-100 children nationwide. We believe from the bottom of our hearts that giving this gift of life to others would have been her wishes."
