Child injured in fall from Tacoma Dome bleachers

tomr1234 said on February 23, 2010 at 9:58 AM

To whom it may concern, at work today my co-worker side a child was recently hurt after falling though a opening in the floor of the Tacoma Dome. I was not surprised because in Nov 2009 at the State Football playoffs for Skyline High School I noticed a small child standing near what I suspect was a similar opening as shown in one of the photos. I told the child and parent about the hazard. I also told another family later on during the event too. I also told my wife who was there about being careful to not step in to it since we were sitting next to the gap. It was obvious that a child could easily fall though. But here is the kicker, I also told a few of the security staff (of which I recall some where middle aged adults) there of the hazard and to inform the Tacoma Dome Staff that they should fix it before a child was hurt.

ellenk said on February 21, 2010 at 4:49 PM

Thirty years ago, when I was three, a similar thing happened to me. The gymnasium heard my scream as I fell. Like Serenity, I fractured my skull. I was alrigt, though the skull fracture did damage to the nerves in an ear, and I don't hear in it, I am not a parent, but things happen with kids...physics, laws of nature, curious kids, negligent parents. I've never blamed my parents for my fall, nor did we pursue legal action. Changes have been made to that facility (SPU), and I am glad that it didn't take my death or horrible injury to create that change.

trojan33 said on February 21, 2010 at 2:33 PM

christinadeleon- It would be nice if we lived in a world that you speak of. But, lawsuits and threat of lawsuits are increasingly the only way to get a business or government agency to make changes that benefit the public. Money will not bring someone back from the dead, but it can help bring back someone from disability or at least make their rehab easier. Anything with a medical label can be shockingly expensive. Thus, the lawsuit is not just for Serenity. It would be for all the children that visit in the future at the Tacoma Dome and any other venue that doesn't want to get sued. Notice how I have not said it's because they don't want other kids hurt.

clear2copy said on February 21, 2010 at 11:39 AM

oh..there will be lawsuits flying around...momma is gonna sue the pants off the place..just you watch.

jatok said on February 21, 2010 at 11:37 AM

I have also raised two children and unfortunately no matter how vigilent you are these things can happen in a split second. I am so glad that the little girl is okay. This is obviously a bad situation going on and needs to be fixed. If it prevents another child from being injured/killed it will be money well spent. As for the mother I hope she will realize there are always have been people who automatically blame the parent. As a mother I know you'd rather it would happen to you than your child. I'm glad little Serenity is going to be okay.

christinadeleon said on February 21, 2010 at 10:25 AM

Money can just buy material things, but you can never replace your child with it. So all this talk about sueing is just rediculous. Serenity is doing great, and I hope some changes are made to the Dome to insure childrens safety. Thank you for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated.

christinadeleon said on February 21, 2010 at 10:14 AM

The parent don't give a rats behind about sueing at this time, She's worried about her daughter and just wants her to be okay. It's easy to sit here and comment on the situation but you would have to have seen it yourself or gone through it. Maybe you don't get it because it's not your child that fell, I guess it's always a different view when it ain't your child that could have been lost. As far as people saying it would never happen to you, It could happen to any parent nobody is perfect.

christinadeleon said on February 21, 2010 at 10:08 AM

It's easy for people to sit here and say "where was the mother" well shame on you!! I was sitting right across from where it took place. No parent would want to hurt their child. I personally know the mother and the child because they are my family, and for the record she was watching her daughter. Something needs to be fixed about the safety for children in the dome. After the incident took place two men went around the dome and taped up caution tape at sixteen other locations that where the exact same as where serenity fell through. It's very sad that it took a 1 1/2 year old little girl to fall through for them to notice it is not safe for children. Even walking down to your stadium seat if you are holding your childs hand and your child would step to much to the left or right they could easily fall through that gap because there are no saets in those corners. Araceli you did nothing wrong and i'm sorry you had to experience such a horrible thing. We love you!!

aziza said on February 21, 2010 at 8:59 AM

aracelle? That is a mother's worst nightmare and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone or wag my finger at you. I wish I could relax a little in my caution with my kids- and I do try. I'm sure they would appreciate it too! As you well know, it only takes a second. Children that age are squirmy and will fall. We are all thankful your daughter seems to be all right. That is good. And for you? No mother is perfect and we all make mistakes. Don't let this incident haunt you, just get through it with love and support from family and friends. You have your precious daughter Serenity.

brookelavender said on February 21, 2010 at 8:50 AM

aracelie, it's so great to hear from you. I'm glad that Serenity is doing better. My family and I will keep on praying for her and your family.

sweetlynn5849 said on February 21, 2010 at 4:44 AM

Thank God the baby girl was awake and crying. That is a good sign. The next few days will be important to her condition. I will continue to keep the family in my prayers.

aracelie said on February 21, 2010 at 3:48 AM

Well were to begin. First of all I am the mother of the child and her name is serenity. She is doing good . Has a fractured skull but no broken bones or neck injuries. Second of all I was with my daughter I had just taken her out of her stroller to clean her up a bit. Stood her on the bleacher thing and turned around for not even a second to put the stroller away and when I turned back around age was falling threw that huge as gap! Tryed reaching for her but it was too late. So for the person that said I wasn't watching my daughter oviously doesn't know what was going on. I had just took her out of her stroller and stood her up so it's not like I was letting her run around. Thanks to all those who kept my daughter in their prayers

shoefly808 said on February 21, 2010 at 2:42 AM

My husband was there as well working for one of the media covering the wrestling event. He also said there is a substantial gap at the top of the bleachers and that the mother was hysterical. I do think the venue is responsible for safe bleachers/seating but why wasn't the mother watching such a young child. A child under 2 should be with you at all times.

jazzysport said on February 21, 2010 at 1:12 AM

The safey of bleachers is a huge issue. As a school custodian for many years I have said that bleachers in many schools are unsafe. Many have gaps between the bench and the step. Some are very high. I happen to work in a district that has the largest gym in the state. These bleachers are over 40 years old. With all the graduations and events happening in gyms my fellow custodians are amazed more people have not injured themselves or had kids who have fallen like this little child. A small kid could easily slip through these bleacher gaps. It only takes one incident to cause a death or major lawsuit. The lawsuits schools could face because of old outdated and totally unsafe bleachers is incredible. I am athletic but would rather climb a high ladder than climb to the top of a huge set of bleachers in a school. I will keep bringing this up and I hope schools and facilities take notice of this childs accident that has been waiting to happen for a long time.

the_commando said on February 20, 2010 at 11:58 PM

Who is responsible? The ghost of the child who got killed last year! Someone call an exorcist!!!!

brookelavender said on February 20, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Just like sadie, my brother and I were at scene. Five rows in front of the woman and where the incident took place. We did seat in seats NOT bleachers. I can still hear the scream in my mind going over and over and just the incident. My brother and I can confirm that the gap was about 8-10 inches wide. I can still see the toddler in my mind because I saw her before the fall. I kept on glancing back and forth before the child fell. The parents were watching the wrestlers. I'm also surprised what happened. Oh, and by the way, it was a stroller that they had with them. But what I don't understand is that about 45 minutes later I went into the restroom that was close to the incident and there was tiles falling from the women's restroom. Was this another incident, the one talked about in the other two incidents or was this part of this incident? I'm just glad that the child is alive. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family.

missp said on February 20, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Very sad. I hope the little girl will be ok. BTW -- it would be pretty difficult to put a 17-month-old in a car seat. They'd be way to big for an infant seat that could be carried. Maybe a stroller...but you couldn't get a stroller up a flight of bleachers. As a parent of 2 toddlers, I know how hard it is to keep an eye on them at all times. Contrary to what most believe, parents don't have eyes in the backs of their heads. It only takes one split second for an accident to happen. I'm sure the parents feel awful enough as it is.

clear2copy said on February 20, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Wherefore art thou, Responsibility?

speakthetruth said on February 20, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Bleachers are dangerous. Any child that small should be brought in a car seat.

sadie707 said on February 20, 2010 at 10:10 PM

I was sitting about five rows forward of where the baby fell, in the lower section where there are seats, not bleachers. It was the most terrifying scream I have ever heard, filled with both fear and pain. There was a gap about 8-10 inches wide where the bleachers didn't meet the wall (it's this way all around the dome at the top step in the aisle of the lower section, behind the last row of seats). I'm not sure whether the parents were watching the baby, but the baby fell between this gap. There was a woman screaming (the mother I assume) and could be heard by the wrestlers on the mat who were wrestling, even through all the screaming and cheers of the crowd. There was chaos for about 20 minutes while people in the area around tried to help after they figured out was going on. It was very frightening and I'm surprised that such a large gap was left unprotected. My heart goes out to the family and the child.

bazwest said on February 20, 2010 at 5:45 PM

Trojan--I agree with you that public venues should use reasonable concern for the public's safety--but what is reasonable? I maintain that parents have to be the one's responsible for their children's safety, especially of tiny children. We can't childproof society. As a parent my wife and I safely and successfully got our 4 children past the terrible two's. Not without a few hair raising moments I might add, but they were few and far between thankfully. We had to be on our game 100% of the time. I grow weary with the assertion that someone else is always responsible for the lapses that parents have in parenting their children. No one likes to see children hurt, but likewise we have got to have a return to personal responsibility in this country. Despite what too many people seem to believe, the government (and the court system) can't be expected to take care of every need and fill every void.

aziza said on February 20, 2010 at 5:35 PM

I would NEVER take a child that young up in the stands.

trojan33 said on February 20, 2010 at 5:22 PM

Bazwest- Are you saying that a public venue should not use simple safety tecnnology available two decades ago? Maybe I am overreacting on the justifiable part. I don't know, it seems it would be required to have safer bleachers by now. For common sense sake you would think they would have it so they don't put themselves in a situation to get sued.

kingsolver1000rr said on February 20, 2010 at 5:22 PM

I am very surprised that this was allowed to be published. My wife fell down the bleachers a couple years ago- Beer was beeing consumed on the upper bleachers and even though there was a sign stating no beer up there- security was allowing it. My wife was not drinking, but slipped on some spilt beer and tumbled all the way down hurting her back and still has not recovered - they didn't even foot the bill for for the initial ambulance or hospital charges. Since then I have been paying more attention when I hear about all the people that are dying and getting seriously injured at this location. I can't wait till the day when I can put chunk of the Tacoma dome next to my chunk of the King Dome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

factoid said on February 20, 2010 at 5:03 PM

Would not surprise me at all if they sue, that's just todays mentality. Take no responsibility and it's always someone else's fault. It goes without saying that I hope the little one will be OK.

bazwest said on February 20, 2010 at 4:52 PM

trojan 33 have you been breathing in too much helium today? There may end up being a lawsuit filed here but it would be no more justifiable than suing a bathtub manufacturer because a parent let their child drown in the tub. Parents are responsible for the safety and well being of their children. That is why children are in the care of their parents. Parents are supposed to anticipate possible danger and protect their children from it. Society cannot reasonably be expected to engineer all buildings and infrastructure so that 17 month old children can run around unattended in perfect safety.

trojan33 said on February 20, 2010 at 4:45 PM

Just remembering when my school got new bleachers twenty years ago that prevented all but the very smallest of children from falling from bleachers.

carlconstantine said on February 20, 2010 at 4:32 PM

A baby could fall out of the Space Needle if the parents were not there to assure that this would not happen. Why would the Tacoma Dome be responsible? A baby could fall over Snoqualmie Falls... Who would they sue then? The Snoqualmie Indian tribe?

ballanty3comcas said on February 20, 2010 at 4:12 PM

Where were the parents at this time and why were they not keeping an eye on the baby? They could have held the child in their laps.

yogibear said on February 20, 2010 at 4:10 PM

I pray the child will be okay. Kids fall from lots of places, you can't always blame the establishment.

jamallw said on February 20, 2010 at 4:05 PM

Poor baby.

trojan33 said on February 20, 2010 at 3:22 PM

Unacceptable. Massive justifiable lawsuit forthcoming. I hope the child survives and without too many long term injuries.