A tragic incident has emerged from the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel in Pennabilli, Italy, where a 12-year-old boy, Matteo Brandimarti, lost his life following a severe accident at the hotel’s jacuzzi. The incident occurred on Easter Sunday, April 5, when the young boy became trapped in the jacuzzi’s filter while enjoying the hydromassage function. Local authorities reported that Brandimarti’s leg became entrapped in the nozzle around 10:30 AM.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Duca-di-Montefeltro-Hotel-in-Pennabilli-041026-1390a0bb4bbd497b9c9dc806576b82fc.jpg)
Emergency services were called to the scene as hotel staff quickly turned off the jacuzzi in an attempt to save the boy. Following his rescue, Matteo was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he received urgent medical care. Tragically, it was reported that he had been submerged under three feet of water for five minutes, leading to severe brain injuries. He was placed on life support, but unfortunately, he was pronounced brain dead just days later on April 9.
Matteo was a pupil at Curzi Middle School, where his principal, Melania Martellacci, described him as a vibrant and curious child who was cherished by his friends. Community members have expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the boy, with parish priest Don Ulderico describing him as intelligent and helpful, highlighting the gap his absence has left in the community.
In the wake of this tragedy, legal actions are anticipated against the hotel. Umberto Gramenzi, the lawyer representing Matteo’s family, revealed that a formal inspection of the jacuzzi facility is scheduled for May 13. This examination will be conducted by technical consultants who previously performed the autopsy on the boy’s remains. Gramenzi indicated that there may have been negligence on the part of the hotel, specifically citing a malfunction in the jacuzzi’s suction system.
Authorities are exploring possible negligence charges against multiple individuals connected with the hotel. Gramenzi indicated that the owner, the manager, and the pool maintenance worker present at the time of the tragedy could face serious accusations of negligent homicide. As of now, police are investigating three unidentified individuals linked to the incident, according to reports from Rai News and Sky.
Gramenzi further expressed the family’s heartfelt wish for justice, alluding to the possibility of criminal prosecutions for those deemed responsible for Matteo’s death. “It is considered a crime of negligence due to carelessness, imprudence, lack of competence, and non-compliance with regulations regarding pool operations,” he said. Their hope is that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Matteo’s family is enduring this painful time with remarkable dignity, Gramenzi noted, revealing that, in a gesture of hope, the young boy’s organs were donated to six other children in need of transplants. This selfless act underscores the family’s commitment to honouring Matteo’s memory even amidst their sorrow.
In response to the incident and ensuing investigations, inquiries have been directed to both the Rimini Police and the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel for comments. As the community mourns the loss of a bright young life, the focus shifts towards ensuring safety in recreational facilities and striving for accountability in light of this harrowing event.
As the investigation continues, many will be awaiting the outcome, seeking justice for Matteo and looking to ensure that such a tragedy does not befall another family again.