Tragic Matteo Brandimarti was on holiday with his family over the Easter weekend at the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel in Pennabilli, near Rimini when the horrifying incident occurred
A 12-year-old boy was killed after being sucked into a hot tub filter at an Italian hotel. Matteo Brandimarti was holidaying with his family over the Easter weekend at the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel in Pennabilli, near Rimini when the devastating incident unfolded.
The family had chosen to unwind by visiting the hotel’s spa on Easter Sunday morning when catastrophe struck. Matteo was enjoying the hot tub when his leg became caught in the nozzle while the hydromassage function was operating, leaving him trapped.
He remained stuck underwater for nearly five minutes before hotel staff managed to release him by switching off the mains power supply to the hot tub pump.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and administered CPR, successfully restarting the lad’s heart before he was airlifted to hospital, reports the Mirror.
The 12-year-old was put on life support machinery, but on April 9 doctors declared that he was brain dead. Matteo had suffered cardiac arrest while submerged and severe brain damage caused by hypoxia.
Local media reported his life support equipment will now be turned off and permission has been granted by the boy’s parents for organ donation, the family’s solicitor told journalists.
An investigation has been opened by the Prosecutor’s Office into involuntary manslaughter, though there are presently no suspects.
Facilities at the spa have remained sealed off for the past four days while the Local Health Authority inspected the hot tub system and compiled a report.
Specialists were examining the nozzle and vent design for any defects, along with the grilles safeguarding the equipment.
Following the tragedy, Matteo’s father shared a photograph of his son on Facebook as tributes flooded in.
“Beautiful sweet soul…may God hold you in his arms and always protect your parents,” one person wrote, while another added: “So much pain is unjust.”