Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PANGUITCH — Injuries sustained from a trampoline wind accident claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl in Panguitch Wednesday. Oaklee Sidwell was playing outside with her friends on a trampoline Tuesday afternoon when a sudden gust of wind lifted the trampoline and carried it over for over 50 yards.
Cheryl Church, Public Information Officer for the Garfield County Sheriff's office, said Sidwell was following her friends off the trampoline when the incident occurred.
"Her friends had gotten off the trampoline and she sat to put on her shoes when a sudden gust of wind lifted it off the ground. The trampoline went many feet into the air and took her about 50 yards away," Church said.
According to police, the trampoline was anchored into the ground and had a safety net installed.
Panguitch is not a huge city and everyone knows the family. This tragedy that has affected the entire community.
–Cheryl Church
Sidwell was taken to Garfield Memorial Hospital with several injuries and later transferred via helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital. She passed away Wednesday morning.
Church said Sidwell's death has affected all of Garfield County.
"Panguitch is not a huge city and everyone knows the family. This tragedy that has affected the entire community," Church said.
Sidwell's family said she was a bright girl who loved animals.
"She started out bottle feeding lambs and calves. From there her motherly instinct grew and she took in many more animals," her family wrote in her obituary, "When you came to her house you could see how much she loved animals with cats, dogs, rabbit, fish, guinea pig, parrot, horses, sheep, and cows."
Sidwell was the youngest child and only daughter of Tracy and Desiree Sidwell. A memorial fund has been established through Zion's Bank in Sidwell's name*.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
