A TODDLER was kept in hospital for two days after he and his brother were thrown from a runaway bouncy castle at a family fun day. Their father, Andy Clarke, of Rowan Close, Huntingdon, is now demanding answers following the accident in which both his son

A TODDLER was kept in hospital for two days after he and his brother were thrown from a runaway bouncy castle at a family fun day.

Their father, Andy Clarke, of Rowan Close, Huntingdon, is now demanding answers following the accident in which both his sons were injured.

The 37-year-old said he watched in horror as six-year-old Jack and Harry, two, were flipped over while playing on the inflatable at the East of England showground.

An investigation into the incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon at the Knockout Sports Fest, is under way.

Mr Clarke said: "It was horrific. I was running over not knowing if my sons were alive.

"They were playing on the castle quite happily when it just started lifting up. I was waiting for it to come down but it kept on going and went over. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"My heart missed a dozen beats and I thought: 'This is the sort of thing you see on the news'.

"When I got to Harry, his eyes were rolled up into his head and I think he stopped breathing for a few seconds. Jack was crying but I was glad to hear it in a way because I knew it meant he was still alive."

The event was organised by the Peterborough Lions Rugby Club, but the bouncy castle involved was being operated by Peterborough City Council.

Mr Clarke added: "I had to scream at people to get help. No one seemed to know what they should be doing - it seemed some staff were more interested in the bouncy castle than helping my children."

Both boys were taken to Peterborough General Hospital by ambulance with cuts and bruises. Jack was discharged on Sunday, while two-year-old Harry was kept in hospital for two days before being discharged yesterday (Tuesday).

There were two other children, both from Peterborough, on the bouncy castle at the time. They were treated at the scene for injuries described by Cambridgeshire police as minor. The incident happened at about 2.45pm.

A city council spokesman said: "The council will launch its own investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.

"It seems the castle was caught by a large gust of wind while being operated by our sports development officers, who were at the event.

"We are in contact with the families involved and we will be writing to them in due course."

The inquiry into the incident will be conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, with the backing of Peterborough Lions and the East of England Showground.

Mr Clarke added: "In this day and age of health and safety it is unbelievable that a council should allow this to happen and a thorough investigation must be carried out.

"I am not sure if the castle was tied down or not, but something has obviously gone very wrong. Anything could have happened."

Mr Clarke said his children had not suffered any permanent physical injuries but would be avoiding bouncy castles for the foreseeable future.