Lucas De March, aged six, has tragically died after he was crushed by a forklift driven by his dad Gabriele, at the family’s mechanical engineering company in Sedico, Italy
A six-year-old boy was crushed to death by a forklift driven by his dad at the family business.
Lucas De March was struck at around 6.30pm on Friday (8 May) with his father, Gabriele De March, rushing to raise the alarm. The incident unfolded on the premises of Meccanica De March, a mechanical engineering company in an industrial area of Sedico, Italy.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes but nothing could be done to save the youngster.
Lucas would often spend time at the business with his father at the end of the day and according to employees, Gabriele would sometimes take him for short rides on the forklift in the company yard.
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Investigators are now examining whether Lucas may have suddenly lost his balance and fallen in front of the moving vehicle. The forklift has been seized and will be inspected to determine whether it meets safety regulations.
Prosecutors may consider charges of manslaughter against Gabriele, as reported by NeedToKnow. Lucas, who was due to start primary school in September, leaves behind a three-year-old brother.
He attended the Doushin Dojo ASD judo school, where he had finished his lesson at 5pm before going to see his father at work.
The school paid tribute, saying: “Lucas was a bright, cheerful child, a well-mannered and respectful judoka. We will miss him very much, and so will his classmates.” Psychological support will be made available in the nurseries and primary schools attended by Lucas’s friends.
Following the tragedy the local municipality, in agreement with the Sedico Carnival Association has decided to cancel the “Sedico in Festa” event and all related activities and events planned for the coming days. The Sedico in Festa is a traditional spring fair held in the town centre.
“We believe that in a time of such great suffering, there is no time for celebrations. This decision is a sign of mourning and to honour the memory of Lucas,” said the mayor Christian Roldo.
“Our priority now is to stand with the families involved, to whom we express the deepest condolences and warmth of the entire Sedico community.”
He then asked for locals to “think of Gabriele, Jennifer, and little Nicola, who are suffering. The mayor added: “The tragedy that has struck us so harshly leaves us speechless and requires us all to take a necessary moment of silence, reflection, and above all, respect.”
