A freak microburst of wind touched down at the Poudre Reservoir No. 6 this afternoon and flipped over an inflatable playhouse, injuring five children.
One child was described as in serious condition, Code Red, and was airlifted by a medical helicopter to the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. The others were transported by ground to area medical facilities. An adult with the children refused treatment for minor injuries, according to Patrick Love with the Poudre Fire Authority. No identities were released and the one child’s condition could not be updated.
The playhouse was set up on the beach of the reservoir. It was tossed some distance down the beach before it hit a steel pole, Love said. The reservoir is about four miles north of Fort Collins, near Wellington.
Microbursts are wind gusts released from thunderstorms, up to several miles wide with winds 30 to 60 mph, Love said.
The incident occurred early this afternoon. No other injuries were reported.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
