A three-year-old girl died after being thrown “higher than a house” when an inflatable trampoline exploded, an inquest heard.
Ava-May Littleboy was seen “bouncing and laughing” during the family day out before she was hurled 20ft into the air.
Aunt Abbie Littleboy, 23, told how she watched as the toddler “flipped five or six times” before landing on her face.
Parents Chloe Little-boy, 27, and Nathan Rowe, 36, rushed to her side. She could not be resuscitated and died in hospital.
In a statement Chloe’s sister Abbie said: “There was a really loud bang, it was as if someone had set off a cannon. The loudest sound I have ever heard.
“In a second I looked up and saw Ava in the air, she was flipping. I saw her face, her eyes were closed and she didn’t scream.
“I think the impact had knocked her out. She looked like she was asleep. Her head hit the sand first, it made a thud. How am I supposed to get that image out of my head?”
The family from Little Somersham, Suffolk, were enjoying a weekend at a holiday park.
Ava spent around an hour on Gorleston Beach, Norfolk, before Abbie and Beth offered to take her on the Bounce About attraction.
She wanted to go on a Minions bouncy castle but the wait time was too long so she went on the blue inflatable.
Nurse Beth, who attempted CPR, described the accident, saying: “She went up higher than my house, about 20ft.”
A staff member from operator Johnsons Funfair Limited tried to catch Ava but was unable to reach her.
Another girl on the trampoline, which “instantly” deflated, was uninjured after “skimming” across the sand.
Alan Ellis, an engineer, witnessed the accident from a promenade above the beach. He said: “I recall seeing a pump attached to it [the trampoline] was still running.”
In a statement Chloe said: “When I saw her lying there not breathing I just fell to my knees.”
Nathan spoke of feeling “helpless”, adding: “My heart is scattered all over that beach. I will never go back there as long as I live.”
The jury was shown pictures of Ava taken minutes before her death on July 1, 2018, and told the beach funfair had opened late that morning.
Gisele Johnson – who ran the attraction with husband Curt Johnson – is set to give evidence on Tuesday.
The inquest at Norfolk coroners court, Norwich, was told that Ava-May died of a traumatic head injury.
The inquest is due to last for two weeks.
Last year, police said two people arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter would face no further action.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is still carrying out an investigation over possible health and safety offences.
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