Solan, June 29: A group of quick-thinking parents successfully rescued approximately 15 children who became trapped beneath a heavy synthetic structure when an inflatable Mickey Mouse swing suddenly deflated on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 7 pm at Thodo Ground during the final hours of the national-level Shoolini Fair in Solan, sparking a frantic rescue effort by bystanders after the ride operator and fairground staff reportedly abandoned the scene.
According to witnesses, the massive structure lost its internal air pressure within moments, instantly pinning the young children under its heavy material. Stricken parents rushed forward to tear away the dense fabric, successfully pulling out 12 to 15 children safely and averting what families described as a potential tragedy.
Recalling the sudden emergency, Rahul Kumar, a visitor from Una whose four-year-old child was caught inside the structure, stated, “There were screams all around. Without wasting any time, we began removing the heavy material covering the children.”
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the aggrieved families, who submitted a formal complaint to the local police demanding the immediate registration of a First Information Report against the operator. The parents maintained that despite a day passing since the event, formal legal proceedings had not yet been finalized, giving rise to concerns that administrative elements were seeking to protect the business owners.
Superintendent of Police Sai Dattatreya Varma confirmed that an official complaint from the families has been received. He stated that the exact technical failures causing the sudden deflation are currently being thoroughly examined by regional authorities.
The failure has also raised questions regarding local safety oversight, as the municipal corporation responsible for collecting venue licensing fees lacks the specialized technical staff required to verify structural safety protocols for such commercial attractions.
