Bouncy castle death: family pay tribute to Summer Grant

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/28/bouncy-castle-death-family-pay-tribute-to-summer-grant

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The family of seven-year-old Summer Grant, who died when the bouncy castle she was playing on during an Easter fair blew away, have paid tribute to their “beautiful angel”.

Summer, from Norwich, died in hospital after a strong gust of wind apparently lifted the inflatable into the air and across the park in Harlow, Essex, on Saturday. A postmortem revealed she died from multiple injuries.

In a statement released through Essex police, her father, Lee Grant, said: “I never thought our beautiful angel would be taken away from us or that we would outlive her. She was the most happy, polite and beautiful girl in the world. I still can’t come to terms she’s not here. We all love you so so much, you will always be with us; love you to the moon and back, all our love Daddy, Mummy and family xxxx.”

Her mother, Cara Blackie, said: “Words just can’t explain how I am feeling right now, life is just truly cruel. Summer was a bright beautiful and most loving little girl it so unfair that you have been taken it just doesn’t make sense, I’m truly heartbroken.”

Police from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate have launched an investigation into the circumstances of Summer’s death but have stressed that it will not be a quick process.

Among the elements they will be looking into are the prevailing weather conditions and the robustness of the inflatable attraction. Officers have appealed for members of the public with information to contact them – particularly anyone who took video footage at the event, run by Thurston fun fairs.

A 27-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, both from Cambridgeshire, who were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence after Summer’s death, have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A JustGiving page set up to support her family had raised almost £3,000 by Monday afternoon. The target is to raise £5,000. Ken Spooner, who set up the page, wrote: “Heaven gained an angel, who was out with her family for what should have been an enjoyable day ... Please help.”

In response to the donations, Summer’s father wrote: “I wanna truly thank everyone so much for helping my beautiful daughter have the send off she deserves love u all xxx.”

Her uncle Shawn Grant posted: “Thank you everyone for the kind words and donations to help my beautiful little niece have a send off for a princess. Summer you will always be in my heart. Uncle Shawn xxxxxxxxx.”