An investigation has been opened into the death of a 12-year-old girl following the collapse of a swing beam in the oratory of San Pelino, a hamlet of Avezzano, in the Marsican province of L'Aquila.
Uprooted from the ground and lying on the lawn, two logs of wood. Their base is evidently damaged, but an in-depth investigation will be needed to understand if this is the cause of the accident that yesterday shocked the small community of San Pelino, a hamlet of about two thousand inhabitants a few kilometers from Avezzano, in the Marsica.
The town is mourning the loss of a 12-year-old girl, Alessia Prendi , of Albanian origins, who was playing on a swing in the courtyard of the parish oratory, a gathering place for many children. Suddenly, the wooden structure—two vertical poles and a horizontal beam, to which the chair was attached—came down, overwhelming her.
The impact was tremendous. Alessia remained on the ground, panting but unconscious. The only ones who noticed what was happening were the other children, who were playing with her on the lawn and soccer fields at the time. "Alessia, wake up!" they shouted repeatedly.
A few moments later, a man arrived from a nearby wall where he was sitting, realizing the gravity of the situation and immediately intervened, taking the little girl in his arms and attempting first aid.
The 12-year-old was stabilized, given resuscitation, and then transported to the hospital in Avezzano, where she died shortly afterward due to the serious internal trauma she suffered. The grief of her parents, Petrit and Eda, who have long been very well integrated into the community of San Pierino, is heartbreaking. Several administrators also arrived on site, including the acting mayor of Avezzano, Domenico Di Berardino.
Swing collapse, investigation into little Alessia's death
Bishop Giovanni Massaro also wanted to see for himself what was happening. The area has been placed under lockdown and will be thoroughly inspected in the coming days. Several residents have indicated they had previously reported the facility's critical issues. This morning, a meeting will be held at the Avezzano Public Prosecutor's Office to review the investigation.
"I just learned of the tragic news that has struck the community of San Pelino. To die tragically at twelve years old is difficult to explain and accept. On behalf of myself and the entire regional government, I stand with the little girl's family at this tragic time," said Marco Marsilio, President of the Abruzzo Region.
Chronicles of Campania
Storm Ciaran in Italy: one dead in Tuscany, one missing in Veneto and damages throughout the country
Storm Ciaran, which has already caused five deaths in Europe, has reached Italy, where it has caused one death in Tuscany and…
