An excursion organized by the Anffas foundation of Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse, turned into tragedy when a ten-year-old boy fell into an artesian well and lost his life. The accident occurred in the countryside of Palazzolo, in the Falabia district, during a summer camp in which disabled and able-bodied children participated, with the aim of promoting integration.
The child, who was taking part in the excursion together with his disabled brother, climbed onto the cover of an artesian well, which gave way under his weight, causing him to fall about seven meters into the water. Despite the rescue attempts by the educator of the “Doniamo Sorrisi” foundation and the intervention of the firefighters, the child was found lifeless. The woman, a 54-year-old, tried in vain to save the child by going down the walls of the well, but she lost her balance and, although she did not fall into the water, she was injured and in shock, and was admitted to Syracuse hospital with some bruises.
Firefighter divers managed to recover the child’s body, while the Syracuse prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for manslaughter. The area was seized and the investigation was entrusted to the Carabinieri, who are trying to reconstruct the exact dynamics of the accident.
“Once the team arrived on site, the firefighters immediately lowered themselves into the well and recovered the woman alive, entrusting her to the paramedics. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done for the child,” said Ugo Macchiarella, commander of the Syracuse Fire Brigade, who coordinated the rescue operations.
The victim, who had two brothers aged 18 and 4, was found by divers. The celebrations in honor of Palazzolo’s patron saint, San Paolo, were suspended as a sign of mourning.
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