Parents study devastating fact after wholesome boy, 9 collapses and dies on Egypt vacation
Mattia Cossettini was on a family holiday in Egypt when he suddenly collapsed on a boat trip. He died in the early hours of January 6 after being diagnosed with heatstroke
The family of a nine year old lad who tragically passed away after collapsing on holiday in Egypt have been dealt a devastating blow, learning the true cause of his death. Young Mattia Cossettini was enjoying a trip to the resort town of Marsa Alam with his little brother and parents when disaster struck on January 5.
The family had jetted off to Egypt for a week-long getaway on January 2 and were out on a boat excursion when Mattia suddenly keeled over.
After coming round, the boy complained of an intense headache, prompting his worried parents to rush him to the resort’s medical team. Initially diagnosed with heatstroke, Mattia was hooked up to an IV drip and given various meds before being sent back to his room.
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But as night fell, his condition took a turn for the worse; he started throwing up and suffering from headaches and fits, leading to an emergency dash to A&E. Tragically, he was declared dead in the early hours of January 6.
In a heartbreaking update, Egyptian newspaper Ahram reported that the Red Sea Health Directorate confirmed on Friday that Mattia had an undiagnosed brain tumour, which, along with pneumonia, caused his heart to stop on Monday. The health authority revealed that by the time Mattia was brought into Marsa Alam One-Day Surgery Hospital, he was already in a dire state, described as “a state of complete unconsciousness and clinical death,” reports the Mirror.
A CT scan at the hospital uncovered a brain haemorrhage caused by a tumour, as reported by Ahram. Despite medical teams’ efforts to clear the child’s airways and multiple attempts at resuscitation, young Mattia sadly did not survive.
A statement on Facebook from the directorate declared: “The death was caused by complications from a brain tumour, which the child had already been suffering from before travelling to Egypt.”
Italian news outlet Ansa has disclosed that an investigation into the boy’s death is underway to ascertain the cause and any potential diagnostic or treatment delays. Following the tragic event, Mattia’s father Marco spoke to Corriere della Sera, saying: “Mattia had gone into a coma. We’re waiting to understand more.”
The devastated 41 year old father of two reminisced about his son, who celebrated his ninth birthday on December 23, stating: “My son has always been in great health. I can only say that he was perfectly fine until he fainted.”
Il Messaggero today reported that Mattia’s grieving family, currently choosing silence regarding the case, were previously unaware of any health issues like a brain tumour.
Lawyer Maria Virginia Maccari, assisting the family part of the tragic case, has revealed they are back in their hometown of Tricesimo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, up North in Italy. They are anxiously waiting for the body which is still under the control of Egyptian authorities.
The lawyer relayed to the Italian media: “The parents returned to Italy late yesterday evening and are awaiting the return of the body, which has not yet been arranged by the Egyptian authorities. In this delicate phase, out of respect for the family and their privacy and that of the very young victim, we will not release any comment.”
In a touching tribute to the late Mattia, it’s remembered that he had his dad’s passion for firefighting and cherished the environment deeply. Back in his November electoral appeal to fellow youths aiming for a spot on the Youth Council, he expressed his desire for a tidier town with more respect for nature, calling out for “more garbage bins along the streets and sanitary bags for animals.”
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