Lorrayne Rabelo Fernandes tragically died at the Ville Vitoria condominium in Vespasiano, in Minas Gerais state after a wooden structure collapsed on her and four other children
A 10-year-old girl was killed and her brother left hospitalised in a tragic playground accident when a wooden outdoor canopy suddenly collapsed onto her and four other children.
Lorrayne Rabelo Fernandes was found partially trapped beneath the beams of a pergola after it collapsed at the Ville Vitoria condominium in Vespasiano, in Minas Gerais state, Brazil on February 17. She suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest following the incident, in which heavy beams were sent tumbling onto a group of five children aged between four and 10;
The tragedy reportedly happened without warning as the group played, and, despite the quick response of emergency services, the young girl was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
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According to the Minas Gerais Military Fire Brigade (CBMMG), four other children were injured in the shock collapse, with one boy taken to hospital with a possible pelvic injury and suspected trauma to the spine. Another two young girls were treated at a local emergency care unit, and discharged with minor injuries.
Little Lorrayne’s younger brother, Paulo Rabelo Fernandes, aged seven, sustained head wounds, and required stitches after the beams fell on him.
He remains under medical observation, but is reported to be out of danger. Local publications reported that the girl’s father arrived at the scene to find his daughter already lifeless after the structure had fallen on her. The incident saw a massive local emergency response from several organisations.
Military firefighters, Service of Urgent Medical Aid (SAMU) emergency medical teams, including an advanced life support unit, and Military Police were deployed to the condominium following the collapse. The Civil Police of Minas Gerais (PCMG) said forensic experts examined the site and that an investigation has been opened to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident.
Police said only after expert reports are completed and further inquiries carried out will it be possible to establish the dynamics of the collapse and determine where any potential responsibility may lie.
In a statement, the Ville Vitoria condominium said the area was immediately sealed off after the accident and that it is cooperating with authorities. It also expressed solidarity with the families of the children who were impacted by the incident, but said it will not comment further until investigations are concluded.
Lorrayne’s body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine before being released to her family. She was buried on February 18 at the Parque da Ressurreicao Cemetery in Vespasiano.
The shock incident in Brazil comes after a baby boy died during his own first birthday party earlier this month in the city of São Carlos, in Brazil’s São Paulo province. Noah Gabriel da Silva Guimarães drowned in a pool at a farm in the city during the celebration, with his lifeless body found floating by his dad’s sister-in-law.
While he was pulled out and given immediate medical attention, with a guest at the party administering CPR, he was sadly pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital.
