A FIVE-year-old boy has died after being buried alive under 5ft of mud while playing with another child – who narrowly escaped.
Gael Bernardo Pereira Gomes had been playing inside a construction ditch in when the above him suddenly collapsed.
The 6.5ft hole had been dug to create a water storage pond – but the site in Serra dos Dourados became the scene of a horrifying tragedy.
Two young children had chosen the spot to play some games – but the ground was wet and unstable from previous storms.
Suddenly the earth began to slide and crash down on the children.
Gael’s friend managed to escape the terrifying barrage of mud but the little boy was trapped for around 40 minutes.
Firefighters scrambled to the scene and dug through the mound with shovels, hoes and their bare heands to reach him.
Using heavy machinery would have been faster – but fire service sergeant Douglas Arcanjo Dias said this risked further collapse.
After around 20 minutes of desperate digging, the rescue team found Gael at a depth of between 3.3 and 4.9 feet of earth.
The youngster was pulled out unconscious.
He was in cardiac arrest and emegency crews spent around one hour trying to resucitate him.
Tragically, Gael was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The whole team gave everything they could”, said Dias of the rescue effort.
The fire chief added: “Even with the physical exhaustion, we kept going and did not stop at any point.
“When it involves a child, it affects us a little more and we give even more of ourselves.”
In a heartbreaking admission, he said: “When we cannot save them, it weighs on us.”
The boy attended Serra dos Dourados Municipal School.
The regional education deprtment confirmed his identity and paid their tribute to their loss of the young pupil.
The said: “At this time of profound pain and sorrow, the education department and the entire school community unite in prayer and solidarity with the family, wishing them strength and comfort to face this irreparable loss.”
