Boy, 3, dies in fall down shaft
A three year old boy has died after falling a height of about one storey down a shaft.
The incident happened at around 1.30 p.m. in Zebbug.The shaft leads to garages.
The boy was lifted by members of the Civil Protection Department but died in hospital.
Magistrate Apap Bologna is holding an inquiry.
22 Comments
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Donna Degaetano
Apr 17th 2008, 22:07
I am astonished that certain people will use the death of a human being to raise certain arguments like hunting and trapping. Shame on you! Condolences to the family of the little boy.
JOHN SCERRI
Apr 17th 2008, 20:02
How very sad and yet frustrating - my deepest condolences to the family - This tragedy was avoidable. May this death not be in vain.
very well stated Chris Hudson.
Permit me to add that we have the tendency to overlook the thousands of what we call 'NEAR MISSES' i.e episodes we encounter frequently which could lead to serious accidents , eg: proturding poles,open culverts,broken side walks,slippery steps and floors,loose railings to mention a few.
Who knows how many people end up in wheel chairs or bed ridden for the rest of their lives because of someone's negligence.
Who knows how many youngsters nearly fell off windows today , or crossed the road after escaping from their parents hold and were lucky to escape unharmed.
Lets all open our eyes, not be indifferent and report anything which might be a potential source of injury.
Chris Hudson
Apr 17th 2008, 18:39
Firstly, my sincere condolences to the family; what can be worse than to lose a child? Let us be clear though, this accident WAS entirely preventable. The simple fact is that if we complied with construction regulations and other legislation, then this type of incident would not occur. This kind of situation usually arises because someone has broken the law, - the criminal law. We need to ask ourselves, "do we want the rule of law to count for something in Malta, or do we want a lawless, anarchic state?" If we decide that we do want a lawful society, then those that break the law; particularly those who harm others through their lawbreaking, should be held accountable. It will be interesting to see if any criminal prosecutions follow this latest tragedy.
charmaine mangion
Apr 17th 2008, 17:17
condolence to all the family of this little boy. children can cause an accident in a second and however careful a parent is, it still happens. may god keep a hand on his parents as only He knows how much strength they need to get over this, if they ever will.
Lia Gatt
Apr 17th 2008, 16:40
I agree with Emanuel Grima,
In order for people to feel better when things go wrong in life, it is always much easier to immediately point fingers and put the blame on someone. It is almost a 'MUST', and this mentality needs to change.
I myself lost my daughter the same way, and I must say to Emanuel that what should have been done is much 'easier said than done'. As parents, our jobs are to protect our children from all harm, and I believe that the Maltese population do a good job of that. We are among the many cultures that cherish and take care of our children to the utmost. But realistically we are HUMAN,
Emanuel Grima
Apr 17th 2008, 14:30
Life is sacrosanct. Safeguards should have been in place to prevent a tragedy of this magnitude from taking place. To compound the issue by blaming and finger pointing is a copout. Wake up to yourselves.
Sandro Agius
Apr 17th 2008, 10:24
I agree with Rita Spiteri. A litlle respect. Instead of argue keep silence and pray for the family.
Philip M. Bonello
Apr 17th 2008, 09:49
Year after year after year the H&S Unit of the Directorate of education Services has been preaching that no stone be left unturned to ensure the safety of children. That shaft should have been secured with a net or wrought iron works to prevent children (or anybody else) from passing through.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 17th 2008, 07:24
It really vexes me to see how illogical some members of the human race can be. It really hurts me to see how illogical we are in our arguments, especially when emotions run wild.
To Mr Formosa: what is the common denominator between the argument for or against hunting, and the accidents that are taking place on our islands????? Can you possibly tell me?
Do you want our streets and roads riddled with policemen, turning our country into a police state, and this, just in order to stop certain traffic accidents from taking place? Or, do you want police constables taking over toddlers and young children while those responsible for them are doing other things?
It simply does not make sense, to claim that the authorities prefer protecting a bird's life than a human one. Firstly, the declaration is completely UNFOUNDED! Secondly, why compare a bird's life with that of a human being? After all, aren't we ALL God's creatures????? Can't we protect ALL lives, irrespective of whether they belong to this or that species?
I think that ignorance is the main problem in this country - sheer ignorance, narrow-mindedness and stupidity. If we had to work on this, then, everything else will start falling into place.
If, indeed, we are experiencing so many 'deadly' accidents on our roads on a weekly basis, as Mr Formosa claims, then, that's because you and I are not driving safely and because the roads are planned in an unsafe manner. But not because the authorities are beginning to think about trying to control bird-hunting and trapping!!!!!!!!!!!!
j barbara
Apr 17th 2008, 00:33
As Alfred Grech observed, let us all be more careful.
Also, my condolences to the parents.
Campaigning for and education towards safety, as well as better enforcemant of laws, wouldn't make cruelty, even to animals, right.
There's room for continued improvement on both issues and on several others.
Once more, sacrificial blood has been shed. Let it not be in vain.
j b
RITA SPITERI
Apr 16th 2008, 23:31
stop these silly arguments and let the families mourn in peace
V Farrugia
Apr 16th 2008, 21:48
We can't employ a policeman to patrol every shaft, but we can hold the owner of that shaft responsible in keeping it safe. If that shaft were blocked off, that child would be still alive. It takes only a few centimeters for a 3 year old to pass through, and as anyone who has had toddlers can tell you, they run too fast for the average adult to chase.
Yet another building site fatality, only this time, the victim was even employed there!
Anthony Formosa
Apr 16th 2008, 19:02
Hector is right, how many deadly trafic accidents are we having on our roads on weekly basis?, how many deadly and near misses are we having daily on work places, yes for the authorities saving a birds life is more important than a human life.
A.Pullicino
Apr 16th 2008, 17:31
How on earth can stopping caring about bird issues have avoided this poor child's death Mr Farrugia? Showing concern about about life in general (both human and animal) is what will help us have the right morals and attitudes towards humanity.
Kevin Camilleri
Apr 16th 2008, 17:09
I don't know what on Earth police have to do to prevent such accidents Mr. Farrugia? Should we employ a police man with every shaft or with every building site. Accidents on building sites mainly happen due to negligences in my opinion, this accident happened for God only knows which reason! Condolences to the Family.
C Mallia
Apr 16th 2008, 17:08
To people like Hector Farrugia. From breaking the law for smoking a cigarette in public places, throwing paper in the streets, not picking dog pooh and poaching, to tragic circumstances such as these, they are all important for public order. Shame on all those who try to prioritize breaking laws and justifying their actions in this way.
Hector Farrugia
Apr 16th 2008, 16:52
No Scerri S. All issues are to be discussed in just one context: Humanity. It's people like you who should really be ashamed of facing the world with such attitudes.
Alfred Grrech
Apr 16th 2008, 16:25
We're reading about too many fatal accidents in our country. It's time that we all take a close look around us and make sure we care for our safety and that of others.
My condolences to the family of this little boy.
Ann Sciberras
Apr 16th 2008, 16:10
I will tell you what is happening to you......no one but no one is thinking of safety. My sincere condolence to the families involved.
Scerri S
Apr 16th 2008, 16:04
Hector, a child just died! Shame on you for using such a tragic news item as an opportunity to pooh pooh other issues! All issues should be discussed in their own context.
Allen Galea
Apr 16th 2008, 16:01
Hector, what on earth are you going on about?!?!?! It's true that human life is more important and I feel deeply for the families of these people because I have lost immediate family members due to tragedies aswell and I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate someone reading about their loss and making an argument of it. Sad
Hector Farrugia
Apr 16th 2008, 15:44
Insstead of running after a few birds here and there let's concentrate on HUMAN LIFE. This is more important than birdlife and its foreign components. Let's keep our minds on the true facts which we are facing. Human life is being lost for nothing. a 3 year old dies in shaft, a 23 year old woman dies in a head on crash, a man dies after falling three storeys.... What's happening to us???