A tragic accident in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, has sparked public outrage after a 4-year-old boy choked to death on tapioca pearls while playing at a trampoline park. The incident occurred in Duhiao Town, Linhai City, when the child was drinking bubble tea during playtime. Despite emergency treatment lasting an hour and a half, doctors were unable to save him.
According to Chinese media reports, the boy’s mother had ordered a cup of bubble tea via a delivery app and asked a friend to bring it to the trampoline park at Baolong Plaza. The friend gave the drink to the boy, who took a few sips before entering the play area. While jumping on the trampoline and chewing the pearls, he suddenly began to choke.
His mother immediately attempted the Heimlich maneuver, but it was unsuccessful. The child was rushed to the hospital, where doctors fought to save him for over 90 minutes before pronouncing him dead.
The boy’s mother later accused both the bubble tea shop and the trampoline park of negligence. She claimed the shop failed to display clear warnings or verbally remind customers that children should not consume tapioca pearls. She also pointed out that the pearls were 10 millimeters wide, highly sticky, and prone to clumping — characteristics she believes made them a defective product.
Additionally, she alleged that the trampoline park allowed drinks inside, lacked trained staff capable of providing emergency aid, and did not respond quickly enough during the incident.
In response, staff at Baolong Plaza stated that the case is under official investigation by local authorities, police, and the court, with all parties cooperating. The bubble tea shop involved said the matter has been referred to the company for handling, adding that both the online order page and the cup carried a warning label stating: “Not suitable for children under 3 years old; children should consume under supervision.”
