In Argentina, a 12-day-old newborn died after being cradled in the mother’s arms and being struck on the head by an avocado that fell from a tree.
According to the Argentine dailies Clarín and La Nación on the 27th (local time), the accident occurred at the entrance of a kindergarten in Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.
The baby’s mother, Juliana Gómez, was holding her 12-day-old son, Lucas, while taking her 5-year-old son to kindergarten. At that moment, an avocado weighing more than 1 kilogram fell from an avocado tree at the kindergarten entrance onto Lucas’s head.
The baby did not show external injuries such as bleeding, but began to cry inconsolably and was taken to a nearby hospital. After emergency treatment, surgery was performed, but the baby suffered severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures and internal bleeding, was declared brain-dead, and died three days after the accident.
The bereaved family said that neighborhood residents and the kindergarten had requested pruning and removal of the tree where the accident occurred previously, but the city hall did not take appropriate action.
Records also confirmed that the kindergarten filed a civil complaint with city hall in Aug. last year requesting removal of the problematic tree. Some residents said that after the accident, city officials carried out pruning work at the scene.
Authorities, on the other hand, said the tree was in good condition and that the accident occurred when an avocado fruit, not a branch, fell naturally.
The fact that rescuers did not arrive in time was also an issue. Juliana said, “The mothers of my son’s friends helped file the report. The kindergarten teachers helped too. But no one came.” After waiting about 30 minutes, the baby’s father reportedly took the two to the hospital himself.
The Quilmes No. 9 Specialized Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the exact cause of death and who is responsible for the accident, including allegations of involuntary manslaughter.
The baby’s mother said she would take legal action against the authorities, saying the city hall failed to take appropriate measures to prevent the accident.
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