A TODDLER has tragically died after reportedly slipping from her dad’s arms while going down a slide.
The horrific accident took place at the Aquagan waterpark in Lopar, Croatia, on Tuesday afternoon.
A 21-month-old girl from Germany reportedly fell from her father’s grasp, plummeting approximately three and a half meters onto a concrete surface.
Eyewitnesses said they heard the infant’s dad shouting: “Don’t ask me anything, my daughter is dying!”
She was quickly transported by helicopter to Rijeka Hospital and subsequently moved to the Unified Emergency unit, where she received treatment for significant brain and internal organ injuries.
But despite medics’ best efforts she was soon pronounced dead.
Firefighters were also called to the scene to secure a landing site for the aircraft.
A witness told local media he heard “shouting” and “crying” before seeing a man carrying the “motionless” child to the side.
He said the girl was woken up momentarily by a nearby doctor who rushed to her aid.
He added: “The waiter had just brought me coffee. When we heard crying and shouting, we thought the child had drowned.
“Then we saw a man carrying the child on the side. A doctor from Slovenia happened to be there and immediately came to help.
“The medical team successfully revived the girl, who was then able to move her arms. The doctor informed emergency services about her heartbeat and the three-minute resuscitation time.”
Local cops, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department, said they are working with all relevant parties to establish a cause of death.
It is not yet known whether the slide was child-appropriate or whether the correct safety measures were in place.
Mayor of Lopar, Zdenko Jakuc, however, said this is the first accident he has heard take place on the slide in the 20 years since it was built.
The Rijeka Hospital Clinical Center, where she was being treated, said: “Despite prompt care, multiple interventions and intensive treatment, the child died in the morning hours.”
Head of the Pediatric Clinic, Dr. Iva Bilić Čače, said: “A one-year-old and nine-month-old child was brought by helicopter emergency service to the unified emergency hospital admission of the Rijeka Clinical Hospital Center yesterday afternoon.
It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken
The Mayor of Lopar, Zdenko Jakuc
“After initial stabilization by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals and extensive diagnostic processing, numerous serious physical injuries were verified, including severe injuries to the brain and internal organs.
“Despite timely medical care and the implementation of all intensive care measures for children, it was not possible to save the girl’s life. She died today in the morning hours.”
Jakuc said: “It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken.
“When the helicopter landed, everything stopped. We all looked at the sky and hoped for the best.”
Lopar tourist board said: “This park has been operating for years, nothing like this has ever been recorded.
“Lopar is a place that is perceived as safe, peaceful, and ideal for families with small children.
“It is terrible that something like this happened. We sincerely regret and express our deep condolences to the family.”
Owner of the waterpark, Josip Ivanić, has declined to comment.
