A Sherwood Park teen is in hospital, where he underwent surgery Tuesday after being injured at a local trampoline park over the weekend.
Landon Smith, 18, was at a friend’s birthday party at Jump Park Trampoline in Sherwood Park on the weekend when, according to the teen’s brother, a young woman witnessed Landon jump into a foam pit at the park and stop moving immediately after the jump.
“She jumped into the foam pit and she grabbed his leg and noticed there was no movement or anything, no response from Landon and kind of instantly panicked,” said Jordan Smith, Landon’s brother.
Landon was taken to the U of A Hospital with an injured vertebrae in his neck due to spinal cord damage. Jordan said that Landon was still talking and moving his arms while he awaited surgery on Tuesday morning. He was in surgery over the noon hour Tuesday.
“He’s a pretty strong kid, so to have him look at you and say he thought he was going to die…is pretty tough,” said his brother. Landon’s family is speaking out to warn others about the possible risks involved with the trampoline parks.
“I just want people to know, I don’t want another person in Landon’s position,” Jordan said. “I don’t need another mom worried if her son is going to walk again.”
Jump Park Trampoline released a statement on Facebook confirming the incident in the foam pit.
Injuries from jumping on trampolines are not uncommon, Alberta Health Services said. Research shows an average of four children in Alberta end up in the emergency room every day due to trampolining.
“It includes fractures, particularly ankle fractures, foot injuries, head injuries, a variety of pretty serious stuff,” Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta Health Services Senior Medical Officer of Health said.
Landon Smith was injured Saturday night, and a former employee – who wished to remain anonymous – told CTV News she had identified safety concerns months before.
“I’ve jumped into the foam pit, and you’d notice near the middle the trampoline sunk a little more, and if you bounced on it a little more you could touch the cement at the bottom of it,” she said.
She said her concerns were reported to the manager, she added that first aid training was not a requirement for employees.
Occupational Health and Safety told CTV News the municipality would regulate trampoline parks.
CTV News has learned Strathcona County is responsible for checking whether facilities are up to code, but officials don’t review individual businesses such as trampoline facilities.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith and Shanelle Kaul
