Parents of Summer Grant, who was killed in jumping castle tragedy, pay tribute to ‘beautiful’ daughter

THE parents of a young girl killed when a jumping castle was blown more than 150m by a gust of wind pay tribute to their “beautiful” daughter.

‘Life is just truly cruel’

THE devastated parents of Summer Grant have paid tribute to their “beautiful” daughter, who was killed when the jumping castle she was on was lifted into the air and blown 150m across a park in the UK, The Sun reports.

Her mother Cara Blackie, 26, said: “Words just can’t explain how I am feeling right now, life is just truly cruel.”

Police confirmed a 24-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.

They have been bailed until May.

It is the second jumping castle disaster at Harlow Town Park, in Essex, in less than a year, after another collapsed with children inside in May 2015.

Ms Blackie added: “Summer was a bright, beautiful and most loving little girl it is so unfair that you have been taken. It just doesn’t make sense, I’m truly heartbroken.”

Summer’s father, Lee Grant, 30, added: “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.”

Summer was killed when wind ripped the inflatable from its moorings and hurled it across the park.

Witnesses said it hit a van and then a fence as her desperate dad and other adults ran screaming in pursuit.

Summer — described as “a bubbly and happy” little girl — had been with her family at a fun day and was playing with her little sister Lily when the castle took off.

A family friend said: “Summer was playing on one bouncy castle, then went on to the one next to it. That’s when it happened. Her father was running after it. Her nan, grandad and aunt were there too.”

The tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon during an Easter fair. Witness Jude Geraghty, 11, said: “We saw the castle rolling then we heard a scream and someone shouting, ‘My daughter is in there!’.

“People were running after it. The girl was unconscious when we got there.

“We were scared and we hoped she would be OK.”

Yesterday relatives paid tribute to Summer, with aunt Tasha Stephens saying she had been “inseparable” from her sister.

“We are all devastated by what has happened. We were on a day out all together. I am just feeling lost,” she said.

It is understood Summer lived in Norwich with her mum Cara but had come down to Harlow to spend the Easter break with dad Lee.

Summer was treated by ambulance crews at the scene and taken to the town’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she later died from multiple injuries.

Last night police were investigating how the castle came to take off, whether the weather had played a part and if it was “appropriate” for the ride to be running.

Two people from Cambridgeshire have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence. Both have been bailed until May 4 pending further inquiries.

Detective Inspector Daniel Stoten said: “It will be a lengthy investigation.”

Harlow Council leader Jon Clempner said all those involved in organising and running the fair would work together to help in the probe.

Last night a Justgiving page had been set up for Summer’s family.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.