Matteo Brandimarti, 12 was killed after the horror incident in a hotel pool in Rimini, Italy. His leg is believed to have become stuck which left him pinned beneath the water
Police have confirmed they are investigating three people after a young boy was killed after being sucked into a large hot tub drain.
Matteo Brandimarti, 12, died in hospital after he was rushed there following the accident. He had been in the popular tourist city of Rimini, Italy, and tragically died five days after the horror unfolded at a hotel in Pennabilli, near Rimini, on Easter Sunday (April 5).
The schoolboy had been on holiday with his family when he became trapped underwater in the spa’s large whirlpool bath. Investigators believe his leg became stuck in one of the suction outlets, which may have been missing a protective safety grille, leaving him pinned beneath the water.
Relatives only realised what was happening moments later and desperately tried to pull him free, but were unable to release him straight away. Hotel staff eventually shut down the suction system, allowing Matteo to be pulled from the water and worked on.
By the time paramedics arrived at the wellness area at around 10:30am, the youngster was unconscious and not breathing. He was airlifted to Rimini’s Infermi Hospital in critical condition and remained in intensive care for several days before being declared brain dead on Thursday April 9. He died that night.
The boy’s parents, Maurizio and Nicoletta, agreed to donate his organs in the hope of saving other lives and now the investigation into his death is open.
The Rimini prosecutor’s office has named three people as suspects in the case, with all believed to be linked in various ways to the Pennabilli hotel where the accident happened. They are being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter through negligence but no names have been released by officers.
The hotel spa and hot tub have been cordoned off by Carabinieri officers from Novafeltria, who are now examining the bath’s safety systems, including whether the suction drain should have been fitted with a metal protective cover. Witnesses, including family members, hotel staff and maintenance workers, have already been questioned as part of the inquiry.
Prosecutors are also considering whether to order an autopsy as they work to establish exactly how the tragedy happened. The case is now focused on whether failures in maintenance or safety precautions may have contributed to Matteo’s death.
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