After falling from a Little League World Series bunk bed, a 12-year-old boy is now in a medically-induced Coma.
Easton Oliverson was in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, gearing up for the biggest came of the season and staying in the tournament’s dormitory complex.
A photo from the parents’ guide shows there are no guardrails on the top bunks — just a mattress.
“He just simply rolled off and cracked his skull, his cheekbone. While he cracked his skull, he broke an artery and that’s what was causing the bleed in his brain,” Easton’s dad Jace told Inside Edition.
Bunks beds that are intended for use at home should have a guardrail. Unfortunately, such a standard is not currently available for institutional beds like the one in the little leaguer’s dorm.
Every year, there are 36,000 reported injuries to bunk beds.
It’s not just for kids. In 2018, popularity was a big deal. “Bachelorette”Contestant David Ravitz was taken to the hospital after he had rolled out of his top bunk. He broke his nose.
Clark Jacobs was a college student who fell from his bunkbed and landed on top of his head. He required brain surgery and was kept in a coma 10 weeks. After he woke, he had a relearning of how to walk, talk, and eat.
Casa Kids Brooklyn is a Brooklyn-based company that specializes in bunk beds. Safety is their number one priority.
“The main feature for a bunk bed to be safe is the guardrail. Not only does it have to be in the front side of the bed, but all around,” owner Roberto Gil said.
Unfortunately for Easton, his bunk bed did not have railings.
“The doctors are very encouraged by his progress. He’s not awake yet, so we’re just being patient, hopeful, prayerful and just hoping for the best outcome,”Jace said.
Little League admitted that they have used bunk beds with no guard rails since 1992, without any serious injuries. They are taking all the bunk beds out of their dorms. Each bed will be on its own floor.
