GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Family and friends grieving for a 12-year-old boy who died at a Gaston County trampoline park will say their final goodbyes Sunday.
Matthew Lu reportedly fell between 10-15 feet on June 19, suffering severe brain injuries. He was flown to Levine Children’s Hospital where he later died.
A funeral will be held Sunday for Lu at Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home on Union Road in Gastonia. It will be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
[PAST COVERAGE: Officials begin investigation after boy dies from fall at trampoline park]
More than a week after Lu died in the fall at the Altitude Trampoline Park, the company released the results of its internal investigation, which determined human error was the cause of death.
On Thursday, Altitude Trampoline Park issued a statement saying Lu fell from the “Clip ‘N Climb” structure because he did not self-clip into the belay system. The park said it conducted multiple interviews, reviewed surveillance footage, met with industry experts and inspected equipment to find that Lu’s harness was fitted properly and a staff member provided instructions on how to properly use the self-clip system.
Courtney Wilde, executive vice president of global operations for Altitude Trampoline Park, said the company made the decision to remove the “Clip ‘N Climb” from its Gastonia location.
“We would not expect our visitors, nor our team members to partake in this attraction after such a tragedy,” Wilde said. “We felt we owed this young man, his family and park-goers nationwide due diligence to understand exactly what happened, leaving no question unanswered.”
The entire facility was closed for more than three days before re-opening some of its attractions again on Sunday.
"It's a sad situation,” said parent Amy Walters, who was at the park Thursday. “I think removing it would help."
There does not appear to be any agency in the state that is responsible for rock wall safety.
Much of the training has to do with the manufacturer's guidelines.
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